Dunya reiterates government

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dunya Maumoon has reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of women in all walks of life.

Dunya made this statement in her opening remarks at the Maldives review under the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in Geneva, Switzerland, on Friday.

According to Foreign Ministry, speaking at the meeting, Dunya noted the progress made by the government in eliminating discrimination against women in the Maldives. She particularly highlighted the significant efforts made in the implementation of President Abdulla Yameen’s two key policies relating to women’s rights - empowerment of women socially, economically and politically; and zero tolerance for violence against women, Foreign Ministry said.

“We strongly believe that equality of women in all walks of life, within the family, and in public life, is indeed a prerequisite for social justice and inclusive development that benefits all segments of society,” she said.

She said that extensive work has been undertaken at an institutional level to improve the legislative framework and legal safeguards that protect the rights of women. In this regard, she noted the enactment of the Sexual Abuse and Harassment Prevention Act and Sexual Offences Act in 2014 as marking major steps forward in safeguarding rights ensured to women.

Filling the legislative gaps was identified as a key concluding observation by the Committee in the last review of Maldives.

Dunya also reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing emerging challenges faced by women, such as stereotypical practices which hinder the equal representation of women in the society.

“While the government is committed to improving the domestic legislative framework to safeguard the rights of vulnerable groups in the society, we firmly believe in the implementation and enforcement of laws and creating a culture of respect and eliminating stereotypical ideas within society as important aspects in ensuring gender equality and the protection of rights of women,” she said.

The Maldives delegation is headed by Dunya. Also in attendance were Minister of State for Law and Gender, Dr Hala Hameed; Minister/Chargé d’affaires, Permanent Mission of Maldives to the Offices in Geneva, Geela Ali; Director General of Ministry of Education, Fathimath Azza; Senior Medical Officer of Ministry of Health, Dr Mariyam Jenyfa, and staff of Maldives Mission in Geneva.