Commitment
Conduct a Detailed Analysis on the Economic Participation and Vulnerabilities Faced by Women using Existing Data Sources and Identify Data Gaps
TOPIC: Gender Equality
Source
GEAP
Reference
3.1b
Date Updated
Mar 3, 2022
0
Not Realized
Mechanism for Realization
Budget
29%
Realization
• Unemployment rate of women: 4.8% females (2019) • Labour Force Participation Rate of women: 45.6% of females, 77.1% of males (2019) • Percentage of women not in Education, Employment or in Training (NEET): 41% (18-35 years) females; 15% (18-35 years) males (2019) • Percentage of women in informal employment: 44% of females, 36% of males (2019) • Proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work by sex: 15% females, 5% males (2019)

The Government’s National Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP) 2022 – 2026 was developed with a focus on five main policy areas; Leadership and Governance, Economic Empowerment, Institutional Gender Mainstreaming, Elimination of Gender-Based Violence, and Access to Justice.

The legal framework for gender equality in the Maldives was strengthened through the enactment of the Gender Equality Act (Law No. 18/2016), which prohibits direct and indirect gender-based discrimination, and the duties and responsibilities of State institutions and other relevant parties to achieve gender quality in the country. The 2019 amendment to the Decentralization Act (Law No. 7/2010) established a 33% electoral quota for women in local councils, setting a precedent and facilitated women’s increased meaningful participation in public life and governance.

However, the Maldives is considerably behind in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with SDG Goal 5 (Gender Equality) having a stagnant score, indicating major challenges that persist in achieving gender equality.

Related Publications
GEAP – National Gender Equality Action Plan (2022 – 2026)
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