In addition to recognizing polygynous unions, Benin also recognizes polyandry (the union of a wife to multiple husbands).[421] As noted by the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy (as the Center for Reproductive Rights was then known), negative health consequences are associated with such multiple unions, whether polygynous or polyandrous, given the AIDS pandemic in the African region and the manner in which polygamous unions facilitate the transfer of the virus between multiple spouses.[422] Indeed in its 1998 concluding observations on Nigeria, CEDAW expressed concern about the lack of statistical information on AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases in the country and noted that "polygamy and prostitution [are] serious risk factors in the spread of sexually transmitted diseases."[423] In this regard, parallel legislative schemes that permit or even default to polygyny perpetuate a practice that threatens the health of all partners involved.
Comme l'a noté le Centre pour les droits reproductifs, des conséquences graves sur la santé sont associées aux unions multiples, de type polygyne ou polyandre, étant donné la pandémie de sida sévissant en Afrique et la façon dont les unions polygames facilitent le transfert du virus entre différentes épouses[422]. En effet, dans ses conclusions finales de 1998 sur le Nigeria, le CEDEF a exprimé sa préoccupation au sujet de l'insuffisance des données statistiques sur le sida et les maladies transmissibles sexuellement sur le continent, et il a précisé que « la pratique de la polygamie et de la prostitution constitu[ait] des risques graves pour la propagation des maladies sexuellement transmissibles[423] ».