Women & Democracy slam civil service dress code as 'regressive'

Women and Democracy (W&D) has issued a statement condemning the recent amendments to the civil service dress code, describing the new policy as 'regressive' and 'discriminatory'. 

Claiming that the policy imposes detailed, gender specific requirements on female civil servants, the organization stated, "While basic standards of professionalism are reasonable, these changes go far beyond that purpose, institutionalizing the monitoring and control of women's bodies under the guise of morality and discipline'.

The organization emphasized that any modest and culturally respectful standards set by public institutions must apply equally to all employees, male or female, and should be fair and proportionate. 

Women and Democracy stated that the amendments put in place are inconsistent with constitutional guarantees of equality, non-discrimination, dignity, and personal freedom. 

The organization calls on the Government and the Civil Service Commission to revoke the new policy. They urged consultation with women civil servants and human rights institutions to ensure workplace policies are fair, lawful and serve to protect rights. 

End of December 2025 saw the government bring an amendment to the Maldivian Civil Service Regulation 2014, which requires female employees to wear shirts/blouses that reach thigh length when they go to work. 

The regulation outlines dress codes for both male and female employees.

The regulation stipulates that during official working hours, female employees must ensure that their posterior is fully covered and that their clothing is not shorter than two inches above the knee.

When attending to the public, the regulation further requires that attire must not violate social norms and must modestly cover the body.

The guideline describes how male employees should dress themselves during official working hours. The guideline also describes clothing, ties, belts and more that does not coincide with office environments and social norms.  

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) said the change was introduced following complaints submitted to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, stating that there has been a decline in government employees adhering to the prescribed dress code while at work. The complaints requested corrective measures to address the issue.