As the Maldives continues its pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals and broader sustainable development ambitions, recent data reveals both progress and persistent challenges in achieving gender equality, particularly in education and economic participation.
The country has made commendable strides in education, achieving near-universal literacy. Adult literacy rates are nearly equal, with 97.6% of women and 98.4% of men able to read and write. Furthermore, 100.9% of girls and 98.9% of boys complete lower secondary school, indicating strong gender parity in foundational education. However, disparities emerge at higher levels, with only 37% of tertiary education graduates in 2021 being women. This imbalance limits access to technical and leadership roles for women in the workforce.
Despite these educational gains, women remain underrepresented in the labour market. The female labour force participation rate in the Maldives stood at 40.98% in 2024, significantly lower than the male participation rate of 76.45%. This gap is wider than the global average, where female participation is approximately 51.13%. The 2022 Census further highlighted that men are 30.5% more likely to be employed than women, a figure that has seen little improvement over the past decade. Women are also disproportionately represented in lower-wage, lower-skill jobs, with only 11% of resort workers being women, and Maldivian women making up just 8% of that figure.
A significant barrier to women’s economic participation is the burden of unpaid care work. On average, Maldivian women spend 19 hours per week on domestic responsibilities, more than double the time spent by men. This “time poverty” restricts their ability to engage in formal employment and pursue career advancement.
To address these disparities, the government has implemented the National Gender Equality Action Plan (2022–2026), developed under the Gender Equality Act of 2016. The plan outlines strategic goals to promote equal participation in governance, economic development, and protection from gender-based violence. One notable policy success is the 33% quota for women in local councils, introduced in 2021. This has led to a marked increase in women’s political representation at the local level. However, challenges remain at the national level, where women hold just 5% of parliamentary seats as of 2024.
Experts and advocates stress that achieving gender equality in the Maldives requires more than policy—it demands a cultural shift. Addressing occupational segregation, ensuring equal pay, and expanding access to childcare and flexible work arrangements are seen as critical next steps. Changing societal attitudes and dismantling structural barriers are essential. Empowering women through leadership opportunities and fostering a culture that values gender equality is not merely a women’s issue but a national imperative.
As the Maldives charts its development path, the message is clear: empowering women is not just a moral imperative—it is essential for national progress. With continued investment, collaboration, and accountability, the country can unlock the full potential of its population and build a more inclusive future.
