National Gender Equality Action Plan 2022-2026.

The National Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP) 2022–2026 aims to operationalize the Maldives’ Gender Equality Act and fulfill international commitments under CEDAW and the Sustainable Development Goals. Its overarching objective is to create a society that guarantees gender equality, equal opportunity, and justice for all. The plan provides a strategic framework for government institutions, private sector actors, and civil society to translate policy into actionable measures, focusing on leadership, economic empowerment, institutional mainstreaming, elimination of gender-based violence, and access to justice.
The first core objective is to ensure equitable participation and representation of women and men in governance and leadership roles. This includes setting targets for women’s representation in parliament, local councils, and managerial positions, alongside measures to promote shared parental responsibilities and review electoral laws to remove barriers to women’s political participation. The second objective emphasizes economic empowerment, aiming to increase women’s participation in the labor force, reduce unemployment and informal work, and enhance access to property ownership, financial resources, and entrepreneurship opportunities, particularly for vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities and victims of gender-based violence.
The third major objective focuses on strengthening institutional mechanisms for gender mainstreaming and accountability. This involves establishing gender-responsive systems, complaint mechanisms, and gender-responsive budgeting across state institutions, as well as integrating gender equality into education curricula and civil service training. Complementing these efforts, the plan seeks to eliminate gender-based violence through legislative reforms, improved health sector responses, and expanded support services, while ensuring equal access to justice through legal empowerment, protection measures, and increased female representation in the judiciary. Collectively, these objectives aim to foster a more inclusive, secure, and equitable society in the Maldives.