Former Minister Rashida Yoosuf stated yesterday that she does not believe single mothers are a group that should have to exist in a 100 percent Muslim country.

In a post made on social media in connection with Father's Day celebrated last Sunday, Rashida stated that every woman and every young child will have a guardian [a man] who must fulfill their religious responsibility to provide for and protect their basic needs and rights.

"On the day of distributing inheritance, even if they have to search for where this guardian is, the court will bring him and hand over the assets. There is no one pushing for him to fulfill his responsibility. The state assisting helpless mothers and young children is a completely different matter," she said in the post.

"As the celebration of Father's Day concluded, it is certain that children whose fathers are nowhere to be seen, children whose fathers have passed away, and children who do not receive a father's care will also experience feelings," she wrote.

According to Rashida, single mothers were introduced to Maldivian society by irresponsible "guardians."

It is believed that she is referring to the commencement of the state allowance given to individuals who are divorced or whose spouses have passed away.

The MVR 1,000 previously given to single mothers and fathers has been increased by this government to MVR 3,000 per child. While MVR 3,000 is received monthly if taking care of one child, the maximum amount designated to be received monthly is set at MVR 12,000. It has also been arranged that the maximum amount given to one person per year is MVR 144,000.