Government drafting legislation to criminalize bullying

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced the government’s decision introduce an anti-bullying legislation aimed at criminalizing bullying in a bid to prevent bullying in the Maldivian society.

During his weekly press briefing held every Monday, the President described bullying as a long-standing and deeply rooted social concern encompassing a range of complex challenges.

"To prevent this through the legal framework, including implementing various preventive measures, and strengthening actions against perpetrators, the government has commenced efforts to introduce an anti-bullying act that will officially classify bullying as a criminal offense," the President said.

The President noted that the bill is currently in the drafting stage, adding it will be submitted to the parliament following the necessary consultations. He expressed confidence that the implementation of this legislation would provide meaningful solutions to the challenges posed by bullying. He detailed that law would clearly define behaviors that constitute bullying and outline the jurisdictions in which it will apply.

"This bill will provide comprehensive details covering schools and other educational institutions—including students and staff—as well as workplaces, healthcare facilities, and both the service providers and service seekers within those environments," the President explained.

Additionally, the President noted that the proposed legislation would include specific provisions to prevent cyberbullying and establish targeted policies for schools to prevent bullying within educational settings.

Emphasizing that addressing this issue requires a collective effort, the President called for cooperation across the community to effectively combat bullying.

Bullying remains a prevalent issue in Maldivian schools and workplaces. While incidents within schools frequently come to light, parents have often expressed concern regarding the perceived lack of effective measures taken by educational institutions to adequately address the problem.