A new Women’s Policy-Making Platform has been launched to amplify women’s role in policymaking by ensuring their views and consultations are represented at policy-making and decision-making levels.
The platform was established by the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare under a pledge by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to create a framework through which women’s views and consultations are prominently reflected in all discussions concerning social justice and protection, and constructive recommendations emerging from such discussions are implemented as policies at the national level.
The main objective of the platform is to establish a participatory governance mechanism that connects women’s voices, beginning at island level, with atoll, regional and national policy-making processes. It is also intended to ensure that decisions made in the Maldives are inclusive and place emphasis on gender equality.
The Ministry said Women’s Policy-Making Atoll and City Platforms will be established as a mechanism connecting representatives of Women’s Development Committees through the Women’s Policy-Making Platform.
The Ministry also said a Women’s National Policy-Making Platform will be formed with atoll-level representatives, relevant Government institutions and civil society organisations.
The primary purpose of the national platform is to transform issues identified at atoll and city levels into an Annual Women’s Policy Agenda and facilitate solutions to issues raised by women across different parts of the Maldives through national policies and development plans, according to the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare.
The Ministry said the Women’s Policy-Making Platform was introduced during an online meeting attended by presidents of Women’s Development Committees from all islands and Women’s Development Committees in the cities.
Sessions were also conducted for participants of the atoll and city platforms to familiarise them with gender concepts, relevant laws and issues concerning the situation of women at the national level.