233 A woman is also guaranteed the retention of her citizenship or nationality during the subsistence of the marriage under Section 48 (4) of the Act. 234 The MDFRA sets the minimum age of marriage at 18. When reviewing marriage related laws, the Malawi Law Commission noted that in the case of the girl child, marriage below the age of eighteen is a health hazard and that early marriage has negative development implications. To harmonise the minimum age of marriage, the Constitution was amended in 2017 to set the minimum age of the child at 18, and removing parental consent for marriages of persons between the ages of 15 and 18. 235 The MDFRA makes provision for the registration of every marriage celebrated in accordance with the Act. The Registrar enters into the Marriage Register Book all particulars of certificates of marriage which have been filed in his or her office, place of worship or work in Form A in the First Schedule of the Act. The Marriage Register Book is made available for inspection during office hours and on application, a person may make certified copies from it upon payment of a fee. 236 Polygamy in civil marriages is strictly prohibited under Section 16 of the MDFRA. However, considering that these are still recognised at customary law, the law protects the property interests of a woman in reference to Section 24 (1) (b) (ii) and (ii) of the Constitution. There is however no specific marriage law that protects women in polygamous relationships. Considering that the provisions of the MDFRA apply to all marriages equally, women in polygamous relationships can invoke the same where need arises. In cases of widowhood, the Deceased Estates (Wills, Inheritance and Protection) Act has specific provisions on the protection of a spouse in a polygamous union. 237 Regarding the protection of children in the family, Section 48 (5) of the MDFRA charges spouses to severally, or jointly with the other, exercise responsibility towards the upbringing, nurturing and maintenance of the children of the marriage. The Act specifically states that the spouses have a duty to maintain the children of the marriage. Where a party to a marriage neglects to maintain the other party or to provide the needs 98