Gender Equality Act No. 18/2016.

The Gender Equality Act of the Maldives aims to guarantee that all individuals enjoy fundamental rights and freedoms without discrimination based on sex or gender. It reinforces constitutional principles of equality before the law and equal protection under the law, ensuring that men and women have equal access to opportunities and benefits in all spheres of life. The Act aligns with international commitments, particularly the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and seeks to embed these principles within national legislation and practice. A core objective of the Act is to eliminate gender-based discrimination and systemic practices that perpetuate inequality. It mandates proactive measures to prevent discriminatory ideas and behaviors, while promoting equal participation in economic, social, cultural, civil, and political life. The Act emphasizes the need to protect human dignity and to integrate gender equality principles into the operations of state institutions, businesses, civil society organizations, and individuals, ensuring fairness in policy-making and service delivery.
The Act prioritizes ending all forms of violence against women and girls, recognizing such violence as a manifestation of gender-based discrimination. It calls for comprehensive strategies to safeguard women from domestic violence, sexual harassment, and other harmful practices, while ensuring access to justice and remedies for victims. Additionally, it advocates for special measures to accelerate gender equality where disparities exist, including affirmative actions to address underrepresentation and structural barriers. Finally, the Act seeks to foster a culture of empowerment by creating enabling environments for gender equality. This includes promoting equal opportunities in education, employment, health, and political participation, as well as ensuring equitable access to resources and property. It underscores the importance of collaboration among government entities, private sector actors, and civil society to implement gender-sensitive policies and programs, supported by data collection, awareness campaigns, and continuous review to achieve sustainable progress toward equality.