In a startling revelation, Family Court has disclosed a case involving a woman who is simultaneously married to three men, highlighting significant gaps in the nation’s marriage registration system. This announcement coincides with legislative discussions aimed at reforming child support regulations to address issues arising from unregistered marriages.
During a recent session of the People’s Majlis Regulations Committee, members deliberated on a proposal to amend the current child support payment, which stands at MVR 2,000 per month. The amendment, submitted by Galolhu North Constituency Member Mohamed Ibrahim in November, seeks to increase this amount to better reflect the financial needs of children post-divorce.
Committee members expressed concern that the inadequacy of the current child support payment, coupled with the non-payment of dues, has led many Maldivians to marry abroad. These foreign marriages often remain unregistered with local authorities, resulting in legal ambiguities and cases of polyandry, which is traditionally prohibited in Maldivian law.
Family Court Legal Officer Ahmed Mausoom elaborated on the complexities arising from unregistered marriages. He recounted a particular case where a woman, after marrying abroad, faced challenges registering her first marriage in the Maldives. Assuming the initial marriage null due to registration issues, she proceeded to marry two additional men without legally dissolving her previous unions. This oversight culminated in her being concurrently married to three husbands.
“We have encountered deeply regrettable situations,” Mausoom stated. “In one instance, a woman has three husbands. Such scenarios are possible due to the lack of proper registration and oversight.”
Mausoom emphasized the potential societal repercussions of such cases, including complications in lineage determination and other unforeseen social challenges. He urged individuals intending to marry abroad to seek prior authorization from the Family Court to ensure their unions are recognized legally within the Maldives.
This incident underscores the pressing need for comprehensive reforms in both marriage registration and child support systems to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
