### id242087677 secret polygamy is common in Zimbabwe > Finally, polygamy remains common in Zimbabwe, creating additional complications and risks for widows. A 2010-2011 demographic and health survey found that 7.1 percent of urban women and 13.4 percent of rural women between the ages of 15 and 49 years knew they were in polygynous marriages in Zimbabwe.[31](https://www.hrw.org/report/2017/01/24/you-will-get-nothing/violations-property-and-inheritance-rights-widows-zimbabwe) Not all women know that they are in polygynous marriages. Some widows are surprised to find that other potential wives make themselves known only upon the passing of a husband. This is a source of great uncertainty. With multiple widows competing against each other and their husband’s family for property, a larger and more complicated fight can commence for a smaller share of the property. - [View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01fjx0v32kpbd5r0e1qy6gh282) - [[You Will Get Nothing via Human Rights Watch#id242087677 secret polygamy is common in Zimbabwe|View in Vault]]