Understanding gender in Maldives : toward inclusive development.

Abstract

Executive Summary Within the past decade Maldives has moved from low- to middle-income status, introduced democracy, and been hailed as a Millennium Development Goal Plus country. Unlike in much of South Asia, women face little discrimination in basic aspects of life such as education, health, and survival; however, gender inequality exists. Specifically, Maldives exhibits a classic case of a relatively prosperous country where gender inequalities in basic well-being are largely diminished but where other social and cultural gendered restrictions, especially on women’s roles within and outside the home, persist and may be expanding. An insufficiently inclusive model of economic development forms the backdrop for gender dynamics in Maldives. Additionally, despite several gender- egalitarian laws, persistent deficiencies in law and governance hamper improve- ments in gender equality. Improvements are also hampered by a conservative shift in family structure and religious life toward rigid, inegalitarian roles for men and women. Finally, youth are growing increasingly disconnected from family and society and traditional identities that defined their transition to adult- hood, a situation that poses particular risks for young men. Gender differentials are nuanced in work and schooling. Women’s labor force participation is high but limited to lower echelons of the economy. Women are slightly more likely than men to be unemployed. There is no gender bias in pri- mary and secondary schooling, but girls’ access to tertiary and professional educa- tion is curbed by beliefs about girls’ and women’s mobility and primacy of household roles over others. Within the home, women face challenges that men do not, such as high risks of domestic violence and little control over household assets. Finally, women have limited presence in local and national politics and governance. Men face different gendered consequences. Shifts in notions of masculinity from gender egalitarian to increasingly conservative preferences for the separa- tion of gender roles inside and outside the home place the onus of earning on young men. At the same time, young men are dissatisfied with current economic options, and youth unemployment is high. This disaffection, combined with a lack of strong alternative social structures to replace the breakdown of traditional family structures that has accompanied Maldives’ development trajectory, appear to be propelling young men toward greater social conservatism, participation in gangs, drug use, and violence. xiii Understanding Gender in Maldives • http://dx.doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-0868-5 xiv Executive Summary Overall, women are more disadvantaged in more realms of life than are men. Moreover, public support for gender equality and women’s rights on various aspects of life appears to be declining, particularly as regards work and family interactions. These developments are worrying for the future of gender equality in Maldives, as well as for a more inclusive development model that would offer opportunities to both men and women, in youth and adulthood.