President Endorses First Amendment To Sexual Offences Act & Sole Proprietorship Act

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih Endorses two bills that were passed by the Maldivian Parliament on their third session of the 44^th sitting for this year. The first amendments were brought the Sexual Offences Act as well the Sole Proprietorship Act.

The amendment made for Sexual Offences Act broadens the definitions of rape, sexual harm, and sexual assault to include married couples. The amendment requires all government hospitals and health centers to have rape evidence kits, as well as staff training in a "victim-centered and trauma-informed" approach and the use of rape evidence kits.

For victims of offenses enumerated in this Act, police will be obligated to employ the rape evidence kit. Information on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) should also be supplied to victims, as well as STI testing if requested. The revision also repeals section 20 of the Act, which made it illegal to rape a spouse in limited situations. The Act was published in the Government Gazette after ratification and is now in effect.

The amendment for Sole Proprietorship Act extended the life of sole proprietorships from five to ten years. It also increased the registration renewal time from 90 days to one year. The amendment further states that if the Registrar of Companies discovers a business directly or indirectly serving the interests of a non-Maldivian, the sole proprietorship's registration would be withdrawn.

Regulations relating to the amendment must be drafted and published in the Government Gazette within three months of the ratification date, according to the amendment. The bill was published in the Government Gazette after ratification and went into effect from December 6^th onward.