The government-aligned Dhivehi Rayythithunge Party (DRP) has said the party will submit amendments to increase the monthly child support up to Rf1000 (US$65), a 122 percent increase compared to the existing amount.
Under the regulation drafted under the 2001 Family Law, fathers are currently mandated to pay Rf450 (US$29) per child to the former spouse following the breakdown of a marriage.
Similarly, Rf500 (US$32) must be paid to the woman until the period of Idha expires. Idha is period of time a divorced woman is required to wait before re-marrying . DRP is also proposing to increase Idda payment to be increased up to Rf2000 (US$129) – 300 percent increase.
DRP’s parliamentary group member Rozaina Adam told reporters that several single-mothers are today financial burdened and struggling to raise children.
She stressed that, “existing child support amounts are inadequate and outdated compared to the current cost of living.”
“Inflation has gone up. The cost of living has increased. Therefore, Rf450 is not enough to cover childcare costs now,” the MP for Thulusdhoo constituency noted.
Under the amendments that will be submitted next week passes, Rozaina says, fathers will have to pay child support till the child reach 18 years, instead of 16.
Meanwhile, she also emphasised on the legal challenges faced by the mothers in obtaining child support.
She noted several cases are delayed in courts across the islands due to absence of judges and other various reasons, while in other cases, the child support money collected by the court are not distributed to its recipient’s for months- an issue highlighted by the Auditor General following the audit of the courts.
The audit found that Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) made no effort to distribute child support money worth over Rf1.3 million (US$85,000) while some remains uncollected – indicating that single-mothers are bearing the financial burden of raising children.
The Maldives has one of the highest divorce rates in the world, with almost 47 percent households headed by females and single mothers.
A monthly allowance of Rf2000 (US$130) is distributed by state to single-mothers; however, flaws in the system and miscommunications leave many mothers empty-handed, especially in the atolls.
“I have a five year old son. His father has not provided child support since we got divorced. But I do not get child support because I am a civil servant. That is very upsetting because I can barely cover our costs from my salary,” a school supervisor working on Hithadhoo island previously told Minivan News.
A local gender affairs expert told Minivan News the Maldives needed urgent legal reforms to ensure a better social care system for single parents and children under their custody. However, she argued, “dependent systems must not be created without empowerment programs to encourage women to break out of it.”
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No amount of money can make a child virtuous, a task that must precede all other priorities.
Only the collective tounge of the ulammah can apply the moisture of devotion upon the child dry of faith.
The pen of the scholar can thrust obedience into even the most wicked MalDeviant.
One word, @Dhivehi Hanguraama: Fcuk off!
Increasing child support is a very good move. Maldives is a (yet another) world record holder in divorce rates. Not surprisingly, there's a ton of kids needing support.
The country cannot get out of its quagmire of Islamic extermism, crime and corruption unless the future generations are given a proper up-bringing.
I hope someone thrusts the pen of the scholar down your throat,
Did God himself send you down to guide us?
and you idiot, its a religious responsibility of a father to take care of his children,
learn some Islam first before showing off your "piety"
Thiye kaeymenge massala akee.
Dhivehi Hanguraama actually made a good point despite his lack of ability in voicing it in a good manner.
Meehaku kiyaa echeh rangalhah hajam nukoh thibe munje kiyanee.
What you guys say are true. How about we all find a sizeable stone which can support that.
There are. Ekam ethanun kithah echah kereynee eyah araa thiben ehen meehunna ekee.
Qaum halaaku vaa vaahaka dhakkaane thi aathun. Ekam kameh kuranyaa jehey thi ego gandu dhookollan.
Digest this motherfuckers !
"DRP’s parliamentary group member Rozaina Adam told reporters that several single-mothers are today financial burdened and struggling to raise children."
Supporting struggling mothers with kids laid off by their unworthy fathers is a good thing. And this is something MDP has worked towards and done something about it!
However what I fail to understand is why the honourable Rozaina Adam is not fight in the name of the people of her constitution, to collect what his BIL-THAS owe this country by way of fraudulent dealings and influence.
Maldives now have their hands in the reserves Madam Rozaina.
This is not the time for publicity stunts for the upcoming election! Madam Ro!
the basic problem with maldivan ppl is thy lack knowledge of islam.and no one is ready to learn things.
just in : 15 yr old girl gave the birth to baby and thn burried tht baby under sand in one of island here.