Polygamy in Rwanda
Polygamous marriages are not lawful in Rwanda, nor is the practice itself. However, polygamy has been reported to be prevalent in more rural areas, though decreasing. The Rwandan constitution explicitly bans all forms of non-monogamous marriages from being recognized under civil law and does not allow for customary law to recognize such unions either.[1] The text from the constitution reads:
Article 25 [Marriage]
(1) Only monogamous marriages shall be recognized within the conditions and forms prescribed by law.[2]
References
Polygamy in Africa |
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| | Sovereign states | |
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- Canary Islands / Ceuta / Melilla / Plazas de soberanía (Spain)
- Madeira (Portugal)
- Mayotte / Réunion (France)
- Saint Helena / Ascension Island / Tristan da Cunha (United Kingdom)
- Western Sahara
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| Performed
legally | |
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| Recognized if
performed
legally abroad | |
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| Recognized under
customary law | |
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| Other countries
and regions | |
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- 1 Illegal in all forms; Muslims exempt
- 2 Regions governed by Sharia
- NB: In certain countries and regions, only Muslims may legally contract a polygamous marriage
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