The I Stories: Polygamy – the heart of the matter

Discussions on polygamy are critical in the context of a transforming continent. This is a long overdue discussion, given the many challenges related to gender transformation. Many argue that culture and cultural practices are sacrosanct and rigid. Yet, nothing could be further from the truth. Evidence the world over shows that culture, by its very definition, is dynamic and transient. Culture adapts and responds to changing environments and contexts.

The collection of stories in this booklet presents various scenarios of polygamous relationships, chronicling the current and past experiences lived by men and women across the Southern African Development Community region, including South Africa, Swaziland, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe, as well as Senegal. Each writer shares their own account of living in polygamous relationships and what this has meant for them as women, men and children.

Publisher: Gender Links
Year of Publication: 2009
Download : Foreward by Bafana Khumalo
Download : A word from the editor - Deborah Walter
Download : Questions of culture
Download : Plural wives
Download : Growing up in polygamous homes
Download : Speaking out on gender violence and HIV / AIDS