Maldivian Woman Married to Three Men, Says Family Court

The Family Court is currently hearing a case involving a woman who is married to three different men, according to a court official.

The Parliament’s Regulations Committee summoned officials from the Family Court yesterday to discuss a petition filed by North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu) regarding a proposed increase to the MVR 2,000 child support allowance.

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During the meeting, committee members raised concerns about the growing number of cases involving failure to pay child support and the lack of registration of marriages performed overseas.

Family Court legal officer Ahmed Mausoom shared his concerns, highlighting troubling family situations in the Maldives. He cited the example of a woman who had married three different men.

Mausoom explained that the woman’s first marriage took place abroad but was not registered, rendering it legally non-existent. She subsequently married again in another overseas ceremony, and before a decision could be made regarding the second marriage, she entered into a third marriage. Mausoom stressed the dangers of such situations, as they could lead to uncertainties regarding the descent of children born from these unions.

Mausoom also pointed out that, despite regulations in place regarding overseas marriages, many people fail to comply. It is mandatory to obtain permission from the Family Court before marrying abroad, yet many individuals neglect to follow this requirement.

The United Nations reports that the Maldives has the highest divorce rate in the world, with 10.97 divorces per 1,000 inhabitants annually.