A United Nations expert group on discrimination against women and girls will commence its first official visit to the Maldives from September 11 to 22 to assess the progress and challenges in achieving gender equality and eliminating discrimination against women and girls in Maldives.
Invited on behalf of the Maldives' government, the experts are scheduled to meet stakeholders in the capital of Malé, Kaafu atoll Maafushi, Guraidhoo and Gulhifalhu, Haa Dhaalu atoll Kulhudhuffushi and Raa atoll Maduvvaree.
The experts will examine the lives of women and girls from various aspects from politics, socioeconomics, family and culture, health and safety, and gender based violence against women and girls manifesting from discrimination and barriers to access justice by employing a life cycle approach.
“The Working Group is particularly interested in legislative reforms and policies that have been implemented in the Maldives to promote the rights of women and girls, eliminate structural discrimination and achieve substantive gender equality,” the experts said.
According to the expert group they will learn about achievements and promising practices, as well as the local historical and cultural context and existing gaps and challenges through constructive dialogue.
They will pay particular attention to women and girls who encounter multiple forms of discrimination as well as gendered risks of climate change.
The group is scheduled to meet with national and local authorities, women and girls, civil society organizations, academics, journalists, political leaders, UN entities and other international stakeholders. The visiting delegation will include Chairperson of the UN Working Group on discrimination against women and girls, Melissa Upreti and Member, Meskerem Geset Techane
The experts will present their preliminary observations at a press conference on September 22, Thursday (local time) at Hotel Maagiri in Malé, and the full report to the UN Human Rights Council will be submitted in June 2023.
Sign In