Women's charter

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WOMEN’S CHARTER
(CHAPTER 353)

Special marriage licence
21. —(1) The Minister, upon proof being made to him by statutory declaration that there is no lawful impediment to the proposed marriage, and upon his being satisfied that the necessary consent, if any, to the marriage has been obtained, or that the consent has been dispensed with or given under section 13 may, if he thinks fit, dispense with the giving of notice and with the issue of a marriage licence, and may grant a special marriage licence in the prescribed form authorising the solemnization of a marriage between the parties named in that licence.
[26/80]

(2) The Minister may, in his discretion, grant a special marriage licence under this section authorising the solemnization of a marriage although any party to the marriage is below the age of 18 years.
[26/80]

Money and property derived from housekeeping allowance
54. If any question arises as to the right of a husband or wife to money derived from any allowance made by the husband for the expenses of the matrimonial home or for similar purposes, or to any property acquired out of that money, the money or property shall, in the absence of any agreement between them to the contrary, be treated as belonging to the husband and the wife in equal shares.
[51
[9/67]

Causing or encouraging prostitution of, sexual penetration with, or indecent assault on, girl below the age of 16
145. —(1) Any person who causes or encourages the prostitution of, or the commission of unlawful sexual penetration with, or of an indecent assault on, a girl below the age of 16 years for whom he is responsible shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both.
[26/80]

(2) Where a girl has become a prostitute, or has had unlawful sexual penetration, or has been indecently assaulted, a person shall be deemed for the purposes of this section to have caused or encouraged it, if he knowingly allowed her to consort with or to enter or continue in the employment of, any prostitute or person of known immoral character.

Gifts by husband to wife
55. —(1) Nothing in this Part shall give validity, as against creditors of the husband, to any gift by a husband to his wife of any property which, after such gift, continues to be in the order and disposition or reputed ownership of the husband, or to any deposit or other investment of moneys of the husband made by or in the name of his wife in fraud of his creditors.

(2) Any money deposited or invested in the manner referred to in subsection (1) may be followed as if this Act had not been passed.

Duty of parents to maintain children
68. Except where an agreement or order of court otherwise provides, it shall be the duty of a parent to maintain or contribute to the maintenance of his or her children, whether they are in his or her custody or the custody of any other person, and whether they are legitimate or illegitimate, either by providing them with such accommodation, clothing, food and education as may be reasonable having regard to his or her means and station in life or by paying the cost thereof.

MAINTENANCE OF WIFE AND CHILDREN

Duty of parents to maintain children
68. Except where an agreement or order of court otherwise provides, it shall be the duty of a parent to maintain or contribute to the maintenance of his or her children, whether they are in his or her custody or the custody of any other person, and whether they are legitimate or illegitimate, either by providing them with such accommodation, clothing, food and education as may be reasonable having regard to his or her means and station in life or by paying the cost thereof.
[61
[30/96]

Court may order maintenance of wife and children(not divorce)
69. —(1) Any married woman whose husband neglects or refuses to provide her reasonable maintenance may apply to a District Court or a Magistrate’s Court and that Court may, on due proof thereof, order the husband to pay a monthly allowance or a lump sum for her maintenance.
[30/96]

(2) A District Court or a Magistrate’s Court may, on due proof that a parent has neglected or refused to provide reasonable maintenance for his child who is unable to maintain himself, order that parent to pay a monthly allowance or a lump sum for the maintenance of that child.
[30/96]