Ministry of Gender and Family in collaboration with UNDP Maldives has conducted a multi-sectoral validation workshop with Government agencies and civil society organizations, to finalise the Gender Equality Action Plan.
Addressing at the opening ceremony of the workshop held at Champa Central Hotel this morning, Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Gender and Family Ms Aminath Shifana said that the Maldives has made significant achievements in the area of gender equality comparatively at the regional and international level. She also reiterated the Government’s commitment to eliminate gender based discrimination and to ensure that both genders receive equal opportunities. She further noted that the Gender Equality Act marks a milestone in the Ministry’s efforts to ensure gender equality and eliminate gender-based discrimination.
This Action Plan, which has been previously shared and discussed with the relevant authorities and organisations prior to the workshop, is designed to achieve five key objectives which includes: providing equal opportunities for both genders in the area of leadership and governance, creating an environment for greater participation of both genders in benefiting economic prosperity, ensuring mechanisms to prevent and address violence against women, men and children, and ensuring right to life and access to the justice for both genders.
A total of 49 participants took part in this workshop, which included representatives from 13 relevant state institutions, 5 UN Agencies, and 15 civil society organizations.
17 September 2017