The national coordinator of Girls’ Agenda, Matida Daffeh wants the national assembly to criminalise polygamy.

According to her, the practice is making life difficult for many Gambian men. She told The Standard Newspaper: ““Polygamy is a religious obligation but there is an “if” to it. Meaning there are conditions attached to it and many [Gambian] men are not able to fulfil those conditions. I don't believe in it but I am not stopping anybody from doing it. But so long as we are taking it to be a religious obligation, let's not also forget about the conditions. If the Government sends a bill to the National Assembly outlawing FGM, I would also want polygamy to be outlawed.”

Matida added: “In this 21st century, young people need to opt for monogamy. It is better for us all. Polygamy is just not practically possible and at individual level, I am not in support of it. In fact, it makes life feel like hell for men. So why go for [something that] will affect you? Someone told me that most African men want to go for cheap religious rites. In Saudi Arabia, before a man can marry, he will have to have a compound and a standard living condition. So [men should] do things that are more important.”

Polygamy, which is authorized under Sharia and customary law, is widely practiced in The Gambia.