HRCM: There are 1,139 female sex workers in Maldives

The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has said that there are 1,139 female sex workers in the Maldives.

This came in the commission’s report submitted to the United Nations Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) Committee.

HRCM said that moreover, a Risk Behaviour Mapping conducted in 2010 estimated that 8 percent of female sex workers from the 12 islands included in the study, were under the age of 18 years.

The report states that although there are no direct discriminations by any legislation, women face social and cultural barriers and stigmatization in running for a public office - however, HRCM's "Six Years On - The Right Side of Life" survey showed that views of women slightly increased in favour of women participating in political life, from 79 percent to 80.5 percent, while the views of men dropped significantly from 72.9 percent to 57.6 percent.

The government has taken notable steps to eliminate discrimination against women and domestic violence, but faces challenges in its efforts to implement laws, many of which also require amendment, said HRCM.