Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/5541
Title: Women in public life : situational analysis
Authors: Quinn, Ingrid
Keywords: Gender equality
Status of women in Maldives
Women in public life
International Gender Frameworks
Gender roles and responsibilities
Mainstreaming women
Issue Date: 2011
Publisher: United Nations Development Programme
Citation: Quinn, I. (2019). Women in public life : situational analysis. Male': Maldives
Abstract: The gender gap in public life and politics is a global challenge that the world community continues to face in the 21st century. The purpose of this research is to gain an understanding of the current role of Maldivian women in publiclife, focusing on political, economic and social spheres. The findings are intended to inform and guide the development of national strategies of the Government of Maldives, and to support a stronger role for Maldivian women in leading and managing the reform process and participating, to a greater degree, in political debate. The Maldives is committed to the principle of gender equality through numerous national and international commitments. The Constitution of the Maldives (2008) guarantees equality between men and women, and gender mainstreaming has been adopted as national policy to integrate gender perspectives in policy, planning and budgeting. Gender roles and responsibilities are defined within a unique cultural framework. Men typically occupy the upper echelons of the social hierarchy and women face subtle and sometimes overt forms of subordination1. In the Maldives, the combined influence of the country’s South Asian heritage and Islamic traditions have played and important role in conditioning social behaviour. Gender inequalities within political, economic and social spheres are the result of structural, functional and cultural barriers to women’s participation in public life. Gender identity is mediated through social positioning along the lines of religious, socio-economic status, and the urban versus outer island divide. Women are not a homogenous group and thus do not always share the same constraints and opportunities to participate in public life. Despite progress at the national level, women remain under-represented in the political and economic spheres. A shift towards a more conservative interpretation of Islam has resulted in women’s roles in the public domain becoming increasingly restricted The barriers that undermine women’s capacity to participate in public decision-making demand a multi-sectoral approach. Recommendations to strengthen the role of women in public life include: a) clarifying and upholding gender equality commitments in the context of legislation and policy obligations and Sharia law; b) development of national awareness raising campaigns aimed at shifting public perceptions of women; c) increased policy dialogue and support for gender sensitisation processes within government structures; d) support for the development of inclusive strategies of political party Women’s Wings; e) making women’s economic contributions visible; f) identification and use of positive female role models; g) networking and coalition building and importantly; h) development and implementation of mechanisms to address harassment of women in all areas of life. Despite the challenges faced, both women and men at national and local levels remain steadfastly optimistic and committed to the increased participation, representation and influence of women in public life.
URI: http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/5541
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