The Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare has launched the National Family Mediation Training Programme alongside the release of a groundbreaking research report on the vulnerabilities of children and women at various stages of family life, highlighting that divorce affects children more significantly than spouses.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Minister Geela Ali emphasised that couples will continue to fulfill their responsibilities as parents even after separation, and underscored the importance of protecting children from the harmful effects of family and marital disputes.
"Delicate situations in family disputes do not arise at the point of divorce. They occur within families where children face many situations that can challenge their progress," Minister Geela said, stressing the importance of having trained mediators to assist in these matters.
The study report revealed that the impact of various family problems on children is far greater than on adults, with children being identified as the most vulnerable to divorce-related stress. Minister Geela stressed that the cornerstone of a strong society is a strong family, noting that trained mediators are essential to help families resolve issues before they escalate.
The government has now started work to ensure that this service is available in every magistrate court across the Maldives and not just confined to the capital Male'.
Training for mediators and trainers is scheduled to begin in July, with subsequent rollout to magistrate courts across the country. This initiative aims to help families address issues—particularly those related to divorce—before reaching the point of separation, thereby strengthening family relationships as part of the President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s policy to build a healthy society.