UN: Maldivian women still underrepresented in senior management posts

Resident Coordinator of United Nations Development Program for Maldives, Shoko Nada has said that Maldivian women are still underrepresented in senior management posts both in public and private sector, though the country has achieved gender partiality when it comes to primary and secondary education.

In an article published by Shoko on occasion of Women’s Day being celebrated on Tuesday, she urged the government, non-government organizations, private sector and the men and women of Maldives to take bigger strides towards closing the gender gap.

The theme for Women’s Day this year, celebrated on March 8, is ‘Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step it up for Gender Equality’.

Shoko noted the rarity of women working in decision making roles, and the fact that unemployment rate of women is twice as high as men.

“Women’s unemployment rate of 39 per cent is twice that of the rate of men (19 per cent), with more than one-fifth citing household chores as the main reason. Currently, only 64 out of 1095 local councilors are female. This reflects only 6 per cent of the whole population, half of

which are women,” said Shoko.

Shoko said that Maldivian women play a crucial role behind the veil in social and political matter. But expressed concern over the lack of recognition and credit given to the women.

She noted the work of female role models such as Suhana Adam, the only female Atoll Council member in the country, in encouraging more female participation.

She exalted Suhana for her initiatives to increase female participation, especially her efforts to encourage women to be part of Women’s Development Committees (WDCs) in islands lacking female participation.

Suhana has through her efforts, has managed to establish 6 WDCs in her Atoll.

Shoko noted three critical areas which needs to be addressed in order for Maldives to step up gender equality.

Firstly, she noted the importance of changing public perceptions and attitudes towards women’s role in the political field.

Secondly, the importance of a quota system to close gender equality gap in the political field.

And thirdly, the importance of ending violence against women – which she noted, was the biggest challenge faced by women in Maldivian society.

She said that little steps in the right direction would create ripples which would magnify and bear fruit in the long term.

UNDP pledged support to implementation Maldivian government’s new gender policy, adoption of a number of progressive legislation - including Gender Equality Law, fostering opportunities for women as candidates during elections, strengthening institutions and existing legal frameworks to effectively prevent and respond to gender-based violence, and enhancing economic opportunities for women.