In recent weeks, a potential ban on polygamy to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS has raised the ire and concern of many Malawians. While the law will not affect those already in polygamous marriages, it carries a five-year jail sentence for those who attempt to take multiple wives after its passing. Malawi is a country stricken with a 12% prevalence rate of HIV, with almost 1 million people living with HIV/AIDS. A recent BBC article reports that the Minister of Gender and Development, Patricia Kaliati, said the proposed ban is also intended to protect women from abuse in polygamous marriages, in which wives inevitably contend for attention and resources from their joint husband.