Gender equality strategy

Abstract

The Gender Equality Strategy (GES) 2023–2026 of UNDP Maldives is futuristic and looking to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women in a digital era that is fast advancing. Though living amidst uncertain times of the post-pandemic era of COVID-19, Maldives has moved beyond along a more strategic path of recovery. Though the development context has changed, with a few steps in advancing gender equality, key gender inequalities that confronted Maldives 8 years ago during the formulation of UNDP Maldives' first Gender Equality Strategy 2016–2018 still remain to a large extent today, with women in Parliament at 4.6%, labour force participation rate of women at 45.6% and for men at 77.1%, and with more women in tertiary education but not entering the labour force. Despite more women being educated at the tertiary level, women still earn less than men by 34% (HIES survey 2019) across the nation. The same survey also shows that the percentage of NEET (18–35) is higher for women at 31% compared to 12% for men in the capital city of Male, while the same parameter is particularly higher in the Atolls of Maldives (50% for women compared to 19% for men), highlighting the particularly challenging circumstances faced by remote communities.