FLC expands coverage for Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Abuse Act

Family Legal Clinic (FLC) expands their pro bono legal services on Sunday to cover the Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Abuse Act.

The NGO identified harassment and abuse in the workplace as one of the main challenges affecting women, adding that harassment occurs at various levels in the professional sector.

"Unfortunately most people are unaware of their rights and redress under the law. Women are hesitant to report cases of sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace because they are unsure about and lack the protection they need", said Vice Chairperson of FLC, Sweiza Naeem.

"Our hope is that we spread awareness to individuals, strengthen existing policies of institutions and make legal assistance more accessible to people".

In expanding their services, FLC aims to aid individuals in finding efficient and effective solutions, and hold perpetrators accountable and seek justice.

According to Co-Chairperson Fathimath Shirveen, FLC will consult clients on how to proceed, where to report and present cases to the workplace's relevant committee or employment tribunal. In addition, the organisation conducted awareness programmes for institutions to better prepare them to handle such causes and "understand their responsibilities toward employees under the law".

Shedding light on the situation of Maldives, FLC highlighted that one in three Maldivian women between the ages of 15 and 49, out of the total population of nearly 400,000, have reported physical or sexual violence. Noting that most Maldivians, especially women, low-income workers, disabled persons and the elderly, cannot afford legal representatives, FLC further stated that two-thirds of the population do not have access to legal help as 99 percent of lawyers reside in capital Male'.

“At Family Legal Clinic, we strongly believe that access to legal help shouldn’t be a privilege afforded by a few", said Co-Founder Shafeea Riza.

The NGO was founded in 2014 in collaboration with Hope for Women to provide pro bono legal consultations in the areas of the Family Act and Domestic Violence Prevention Act. Officially registered as an NGO in 2017, FLC works with a dedicated team of lawyers and an in-house legal resource person.

In 2019, FLC provided 261 consultations and serviced 201 clients (145 women and 56 men), as well as reached over 387 people in awareness programmes. Many of the clients are located outside the greater Male’ region with little to no access to the legal system.