Table of contents

Introduction

Explanation of goal

Targets of goal

Goal Achievement in the Maldives and Contribution of goal development in

Maldives
6
Use of ICT to promote Gender equality and to empower women in Maldives
(proposed solutions and recommendations for the problems and issues identified.
9

Problems identified

10

Ensure an improved economic role for women

10

Intensively address gender-based violence

10

Promote education for both girls and boys

11

Solutions for challenges

11

Ensure an improved economic role for women:

11

Intensively address gender-based violence

12

Promote education for both girls and boys:

12

Provide empowerment opportunities to women

13

Encourage and provide opportunities for leadership roles: Womans radio

clubs
13
Inclusion of women in ICTD

14

Conclusion

15

Reference list

17

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Introduction
Maldives has achieved five out of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),
making it South Asias only MDG+ country ahead of the 2015 deadline. The
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have eight goals to be achieved by 2015 that
respond to the world's main development challenges. The MDGs are drawn from the
actions and targets contained in the Millennium Declaration that was adopted by 189
nations-and signed by 147 heads of state and governments during the UN
Millennium Summit in September 2000. Progress has been substantial in eradicating
extreme poverty and hunger (MDG1), achieving universal primary education
(MDG2), reducing child mortality (MDG4), improving maternal health (MDG5), and
combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases (MDG6). These notable
achievements demonstrate robust development with a strong commitment to the
social sectors, particularly health and education. On the other hand, progress has
been relatively slower toward achieving gender equality and womens empowerment
(MDG3), ensuring environmental sustainability (MDG7) and developing a global
partnership for development (MDG8).

Explanation of goal
Gender equality and womens empowerment is the third of eight MDGs. It is intrinsic
rather than an instrumental goal, explicitly valued as an end in itself rather than as an

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instrument for achieving other goals. Important as education is, the translation of this
goal into the target of eliminating gender disparities at all levels of education within a
given time period is disappointingly narrow. However, the indicators to monitor
progress in achieving the goal are somewhat more wide- ranging:
closing the gender gap in education at all levels.
increasing womens share of wage employment in the non-agricultural sector.
and increasing the proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments.

First, however, it is important to clarify what is implied by empowerment in this

article. One way of thinking about power is in terms of the ability to make choices. To
be disempowered means to be denied choice while empowerment refers to the
processes by which those who have been denied the ability to make choices acquire
such an ability. In other words, empowerment requires change. People who exercise
a great deal of choices in their lives may be very powerful, but they are not
empowered, in the sense in which we use the term because they were never
disempowered in the first place.
Women are qualified for life with nobility and with an opportunity from need and from
apprehension. Sexual orientation fairness is additionally a precondition for propelling
advancement and decreasing destitution: Empowered women add to the well-being
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and profitability of entire families and groups, and they enhance prospects for the
cutting edge. Still, regardless of strong confirmation showing the centrality of women'
strengthening to diminishing destitution, advancing advancement and tending to the
world's most earnest difficulties, sexual orientation correspondence remains an
unfulfilled guarantee.
Gender equality is a human right. Regardless of numerous worldwide assertions
certifying their human rights, women are still substantially more likely than men to be
poor and uneducated. They have less access to property proprietorship, credit,
preparing and work. They are far more improbable than men to be politically dynamic
and much more prone to be casualties of abusive behavior at home. Gender equality
will be achieved only when women and men enjoy the same opportunities, rights and
obligations in all spheres of life. Gender equality demands the empowerment of
women, with a focus on identifying and redressing power imbalances and giving
women more autonomy to manage their own lives. Whole families benefit, and these
benefits often have a ripple effect on future generations when women are
empowered.

Targets of goal
The overarching gender equality goal, which encompasses parity in education,
political participation, and economic empowerment. The main target of the MDG3 is

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to Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by

2005, and in all levels of education no later than 2015.
As we elaborate MDG 3 to eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary
education below mentioned are the indicators we look into more detail:
- Ratios of girls to boys in primary, secondary and tertiary education
- Ratio of literate females to males of15-24year-olds
- Share of women in wage employment in the non-agricultural sector
- Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament
Sexual orientation equality in educating worldwide is nearest to being accomplished
at the essential level; nonetheless, just 2 out of 130 nations have accomplished that
objective at all levels of instruction.
All around, 40 out of 100 pay acquiring occupations in the non-agrarian area are held
by women. However, women still enter the work market on an unequal premise to
men, even in the wake of representing instructive foundation and abilities.
Numerous more women are presently in school contrasted with 15 years prior. The
creating areas, in general, have accomplished the objective to dispense with sexual
orientation dissimilarity in essential, optional and tertiary training.

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In Southern Asia, just 74 women were selected in grade school for each 100 young
men in 1990. Today, 103 women are selected for each 100 young men. Women now
make up 41 percent of paid laborers outside the agrarian part, an increment from 35
percent in 1990.
Between 1991 and 2015, the extent of women in helpless work as an offer of the
aggregate female job has declined 13%. Conversely, powerless occupation among
men fell by 9 rate focuses. Women have made strides in parliamentary
representation in about 90 percent of the 174 nations with information in the course
of recent years. The normal extent of women in parliament has almost multiplied
amid the same period. Yet still one and only in five individuals are women.

Goal Achievement in the Maldives and Contribution

of goal development in Maldives

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Generally speaking, the sexual orientation crevice in Maldives is shutting, but maybe
slower than is important to meet this MDG by 2015. Social, religious and social
standards of the nation, in specific circumstances, don't advance women equivalent
interest; confinement and an absence of access to assets in like manner posture
significant difficulties.
Notwithstanding a basic absence of productive job open doors for women in the
atolls, women face lawful hindrances to their interest being developed in a few
ranges, incorporating as for property rights, legacy and procurement of lawful proof.
Difficulties additionally exist in women support in choice making, with women underspoke to in neighborhood and national government, and especially so in
policymaking positions. Making of space and open doors for women to add to
improvement stays central, as does support them in getting the abilities to represent
change.
In spite of the fact that half of the number of inhabitants in Maldives are women,
religious fundamentalism combined with cold-heartedness has brought about sex
imbalances in the country. Then again, Maldives is the main South Asian country to
accomplish five out of eight MDGs before 2015.

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The Maldives has performed amazingly towards accomplishing a large number of the
Millennium Development Goals (MDG) route in front of the 2015 due date yet the
nation is attempting to achieve the third objectivesex equity and women
strengthening - in a nation assailed by religious fanaticism, one-sided laws and
across the board brutality against women.
The UNDP has cast genuine questions over the Maldives capacity to accomplish it
before the 2015 due date unless women strengthening is put on top of the
motivation. Sex correspondence is a region in which the Maldives is lingering behind
most nations in accomplishing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
In achieving gender equality Maldives faced challenges as it was not possible for
developing countries to achieve this goal by themselves, and that international
assistance was necessary for developing countries to progress in these areas.
Insights from 2006 Census show 59 percent of women take an interest in the nation's
work power instead of 79 percent of men, in spite of the quantity of women selected
in tertiary training being higher than that of men. In the Civil Service, just 25 percent
of women acquire more than MVR 15,000, despite the fact that they speak to more
than half of the workforce implying that the larger part of women in the common
administration are working in lower positions.

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With regards to their representation in key open positions, women are intensely
under-spoke to in every one of the three arms of the state. As indicated by insights
from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Maldives stays at the 126th position
regarding female representation in the People's Majlis, with only 5 female
parliamentarians in the 77 part assembly. Moreover, just 59 women have been
chosen to office in the 2014 nearby board decisions contrasted with 1,025 men.
A major challenge to achieving MDG3 is the extensive violence experienced by
women and girls in the country, which is emerging as a rapidly growing issue. One
study indicates that 1 in 3 women aged 15-49 report experiencing at least one form
of physical and/or sexual violence. Childhood sexual abuse also has been found to
be relatively common. Gender-based violence is often considered a private matter,
lying outside the public debate. Such factors have helped to remain largely hidden
and undocumented and, therefore, have hindered effective prevention strategies and
support services for victims. Meanwhile, an increasing prevalence of conservative
ideas is indicated by rising practices of home-based religious education, the banning
of girls access to schooling, and limits to womens access to medical care and
application of justice. Women hold 5 out of 77 seats in the national parliament,
accounting for six percent of representation, a decline in the ratio of female to male
parliamentarians reported in the second MDG report. Maldives appointed two female
judges in 2007, one to the family court and one to the civil court. In the civil

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service,52 percent were female representatives in 2008, despite the fact that with
lessened obligations. Moreover, The 2008 Constitution guarantees the same rights
and freedoms for women, men and upholds the principles of non-discrimination and
equality. However, prevailing traditional and socio-cultural norms and attitudes
continue to disadvantage women and girls in their daily lives and to constrain
womens active participation in economic and political activities and leadership.

Use of ICT to promote Gender equality and to

empower women in Maldives (proposed solutions
and recommendations for the problems and issues
identified.
Gender equality advocates are still unsure about how ICT-mediated transformation
can dovetail with the ambitious steps in law and policy for governance reform in
general. The governance opportunity for gender equality is in the potential for policy
to affect foundational changes to existing power structures. To go this direction,
however, requires a strong understanding of how new social equations are born out
of the ICT-based re-engineering process. (www.eldis.org, 2015)
Overall, the gender gap in Maldives is closing, albeit perhaps slower than is
necessary to meet this MDG by 2015. Challenges also exist in womens participation
in decision-making, with women underrepresented in local and national government,
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and particularly so in policymaking positions. Creation of space and opportunities for

women to contribute to development remains paramount, as does support them in
acquiring the capacities to act for change.
Meanwhile, an increasing prevalence of conservative ideas is indicated by rising
practices of home-based religious education, the banning of girls access to
schooling, and limits to womens access to medical care and application of justice.
Women hold 5 out of 77 seats in the national parliament, accounting for six percent
of representation, a decline in the ratio of female to male parliamentarians reported
in the second MDG report. (planning, 2010)

Problems identified

Ensure an improved economic role for women

The 2008 Constitution guarantees the same rights and freedoms for women, men
and upholds the principles of non-discrimination and equality. In addition, the
Government is making a conscious effort to include both women and men in its
economic and social development and to promote gender equality as a priority.
Nonetheless, prevailing traditional and socio-cultural norms and attitudes continue to
disadvantage women and girls in their daily lives, and to constrain womens active
participation in economic and political activities and leadership. Womens domestic
work burden is high, especially since the average household size is large at an
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average of eight (Census 2006). In the labour force, womens participation is heavily
concentrated in education, health, manufacturing and agriculture, as well as the
informal sector. Meanwhile, nonagricultural and non-fisheries activities, especially in
rural areas, provide only limited opportunities for women, and the female
unemployment rate continues to be almost three times higher than that for males.

Intensively address gender-based violence

A major challenge to achieving MDG3 is the extensive violence experienced by
women (VAW) and girls in the country, which is emerging as a rapidly growing issue.
One study indicates that 1 in 3 women aged 15-49 report experiencing at least one
form of physical and/or sexual violence (VAW, 2006). Childhood sexual abuse also
has been found to be relatively common. Gender-based violence is often considered
a private matter, lying outside the public debate. Such factors have helped VAW
remain largely hidden and undocumented, and, therefore, have hindered effective
prevention strategies and support services for victims

Promote education for both girls and boys

Gender-based violence is often considered a private matter, lying outside the public
debate. Such factors have helped VAW remain largely hidden and undocumented,
and, therefore, have hindered effective prevention strategies and support services for
victims. Meanwhile, an increasing prevalence of conservative ideas is indicated by
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rising practices of home-based religious education, the banning of girls access to

schooling, and limits to womens access to medical care and application of justice.
Provide empowerment opportunities to women/ Encourage and provide opportunities
for leadership roles

Solutions for challenges

Ensure an improved economic role for women:
Equal access for women to ICT-based economic activities, such as small business
and home-based employment, information systems and improved technologies; and
to new employment opportunities created by the implementation of ICT. They were
called on to respect differences in local languages, local knowledge systems and
locally produced content in media and communications and to increase efforts to
compile and disaggregate statistics on ICT by sex and age, as well as to develop
gender-specific indicators on ICT.

Intensively address gender-based violence

Online module on violence against women on the Internet in the Maldives. Can
launch an online module on Violence against Women on the Internet. In this series,
they will explore the various ways in which violence against women is facilitated
through the use of the Internet, as well as ways in which the Internet may be used as
a site of resistance to such violence. Violence against women is a critical social
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problem that affects all of us in some way. Whether we have directly experienced
abuse, know a friend who has been victimized, or have been confronted with the
myriad other forms such violence take, it impacts how we view the world and shapes
our experiences and opportunities. (www.un.org, 2005)

Promote education for both girls and boys:

Gender inequality in education takes many forms depending on the context. Though
gender inequality affects girls and boys, women and men alike, girls and women are
still more often disadvantaged. The use of ICTs in Maldivian schools takes place
against the social backdrop pithily described above. The concept of the digital
divide has been useful in articulating highly skewed access to new information and
communication technologies particularly in the developing world, and it has helped
devise action plans to promote digital opportunity, digital inclusion and bridging the
digital divide. The digital divide highlights issues relating to access to ICTs, capability
and capacity in using ICTs as an educational device, the development of local
content on an ICT platform and appropriate policy measures to create an enabling
environment for using ICTs. (www.un.org, 2002)

Provide empowerment opportunities to women

To support women who choose to work from home to balance their gender roles and
responsibilities, show that rather than finding a balance between household tasks
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and paid work done at home, women often deal with increased multiple burdens.
This project could have a significant impact on gender equality and ICT if teleworking
is designed on the need to establish equality between husbands and wives in all
aspects of family life, in decision making, in household work and in family
responsibilities

Encourage and provide opportunities for leadership roles: Womans

radio clubs
The establishment of womens radio clubs in Maldives will lead women to network
with other rural women and to participate in political life. For example In Zimbabwe,
some 52 womens radio listening clubs are active in the Development through Radio
project, aimed at giving rural women access to radio and allowing them to participate
in the production of programs based on their developmental needs and priorities.
Women posed questions to political officials which were transmitted through an
information intermediary. The responses of officials became part of the weekly
broadcast. The project is now extending the program to women in Sierra Leone to
increase their involvement in the civic and political life in the rebuilding of their
country.

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Inclusion of women in ICTD

Women are obviously passing up a great opportunity for the computerized upheaval:
by 2015, an expected 90 percent of formal work crosswise over segments will require
innovative skills, thus women absence of ICT education is prone to prompt a support
of sex imbalances.

Numerous women are barred from or restricted in their entrance to the Internet by
ignorance and absence of training, an immediate impact of unfavorable social
standards. The advanced sex separation animates an endless loop where absence
of practice interprets into absence of specialized abilities and more awful paid
occupations with longer hours. Be that as it may, under comparable conditions as
men, women tend to be more dynamic ICT clients and grasp mechanical
developments at an equivalent or significantly speedier speed.
Women need innovation for the same reasons as men to add to their attractive
abilities, improve their financial open doors, take an interest in educated choice
making, system, advance themselves as people or basically to have a ton of fun.
Women need innovation to take an interest in the current world as equivalents.

Ooredoo launched GSMAs Connected Women program in the Maldives. The Smart
Ideas for Women challenge requires people who are interested in closing the gender
disparity gap, to share ideas on how they would use technology to empower women
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and girls within the Maldivian society. The best idea will receive a grant of MVR
50,000 that can help the winners to bring their idea to life. The Ambassador of
Connected Women in the Maldives and member of board of Ooredoo Maldives
Dheena Hussain said: Every woman should have equal opportunity to access the
many benefits that technology can provide them with. I am proud to be part of this
initiative, which will focus on providing life-enhancing services for women in order to
accelerate the female digital economy across the Maldives. Were very excited to
hear your ideas on how we can use technological advancements to empower women
and girls within our communities. Moreover, Ministry of Law & Gender has started
on working a national based policy on gender equality and women empowerment
which, will help to reduce the gap between gender inequality and women
empowerment.

Conclusion
Simple lack of concern intending to these issues could turn around the additions that
have been as of now made in this way. Concentrate should be drawn on measures
that are required to quicken the accomplishment of substantive sexual orientation
uniformity in the general public. Adequate budgetary and HR should be apportioned
by the state to reinforce establishments to viable standard sexual orientation into
enactment and approaches.

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Each women paying little mind to her monetary status or where she lives has
equivalent rights to shape her own particular future and the nation's fate. Mankind's
history has demonstrated that women can be, and have been, at the bleeding edge
of positive societal headways. There are numerous capable Maldivian women who
are samples and motivation for some more. These women, not just assume a
compelling part in the neighborhood groups and the Government, additionally
contribute fundamentally past the national limits by effectively captivating in territorial,
universal and worldwide discussions and remote tact. This is a positive case giving
motivation to people and their groups to unravel the capability of women to rouse
change and advancement.

To get the UN's expressions Secretary-General Mr Ban Ki-moon, "the significance of

accomplishing balance for women and young women is not just in light of the fact
that it is a matter of decency and central human rights, but since advancement in
such a variety of different ranges relies on upon it."

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planning, D. o. (2010). Millenium development goals. Department of national

planning.
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