Legal framework
Policies
Strategies
!
!
!
!
on the Girl Child and women and violation of their SAARC Convention on rights.
Maldives acceded to the
Preventing and Combating ! The National Gender Policy C o n v e n t i o n o n t h e
Trafficking in Women and was endorsed by CEDAW in Elimination of All Forms of
Children for Prostitution. 2006. Discrimination against
Women (CEDAW) in 1993. ! The Ministry of Gender and
Family was merged with the Maldives is a participatory to ! The Ministry of Gender and
Ministry of Health after the the Beijing Platform for Family was restructured
e l e c t i o n o f t h e n e w A c t i o n a n d t h e following the cabinet
government in November Commonwealth Plan of reshuffle of July 2005 to
2008. The current policy of Action on Gender and focus on gender, child
the government of Maldives
Development. protection and family.
on gender is mainstreaming The Family Law provides for ! The Ministry of Gender,
gender into all sectors. judges to order divorce in Family Development and
(Gender mainstreaming cases of domestic violence Social Security (MGFDSS)
policy, 2010) but legislation on GBV is yet is mandated to formulate
to be developed. policies, to implement
activities and to monitor the
Maldives is a participatory to ! The National Reproductive
situation with respect to
the SAARC Plan of Action Health Strategy 2008-2010
Maldives
COUNTRY POLICY AND STRATEGIES FOR COMBATING GBV
has identified gender in guiding principles, ! The UNFPA country programmes 2008-2010
objectives and strategy and has also focused on have established a comprehensive model of
gender-based violence. health sector response to gender-based
violence.
! Strengthened national response, including by ! The 7th National Development Plan
2006-the health sector, to violence against women 2010 considers gender-based violence as an and girls, taking into account linkages to integrated, zero-tolerance approach and also
protection and legal services (UNDAF 2011-advocates for the elimination of violence
2015, expected output). against children.
Programmes and plan of action
1Domestic Violence bill is in the parliament. Deliberation at comiitteee stage has been finished. The bill was submitted to parliament in 2010
COUNTRY SITUATION OF GBV
The Ministry of Gender and Family, Maldives with technical assistance from WHO and financial support from UNFPA and UNICEF, conducted the Study on Women's Health and Life Experiences. The study consisted of a cross-sectional population-based household survey of women aged 15-49 years in 2582 households across the whole country.
The sample size represented 6% of all households in Maldives and 5% of the women's population
1
aged 15-49 years .
The most prevalent form of intimate partner violence is emotional abuse (29.2%) followed by physical violence (18%) and sexual violence (6.7%). Physical or sexual violence was reported by 19.5% of the women. 1 (Figure 1).
Salient Findings
Figure 1: Percentage of women reporting different forms of intimate partner violence, Maldives, 2006
that could hurt /was choked or burnt on purpose /Perpetrator threatened to use or actually used a weapon against her.
Was physically forced to have sexual intercourse when she did not want to /had sexual intercourse when she did not want to because she was afraid of what partner might do/was forced to do something sexual that she found degrading or humiliating.
Was insulted or made to feel bad about herself/was belittled or humiliated in front of other people/ Sexual violence by an intimate partner:
Emotional violence by an intimate partner:
perpetrator had done things to scare or intimidate her on purpose (e.g. by yelling or smashing things)
Figure 2: Percentage of different severities of injuries among women who have ever been injured by a partner, Maldives, 2006
Mild: cuts, punctures, bites, scratches, abrasions, bruises. Moderate: sprains, dislocations, burns.
Severe: penetrating injuries, deep cuts, gashes, broken eardrums,eye injuries, fractures, broken bones, broken teeth, internal injuries.
Unknown: other injury.
Intimate partner violence: All statistics related to
intimate partner violence are calculated as a proportion of women aged 15-49 years who have ever been in a relationship (married or just dating).
Physical violence by an intimate partner:Was
slapped or had something thrown at her that could hurt her /was pushed or shoved or had her hair pulled or cut / was hit with fist or something else
2 Booklet- [“You think violence against women doesn't happen in Maldives?” Think Again]
Unknown Mild Moderate Server
49.60%
10.40% 3.50%
36.50%
Intimidation
has identified gender in guiding principles, ! The UNFPA country programmes 2008-2010
objectives and strategy and has also focused on have established a comprehensive model of
gender-based violence. health sector response to gender-based
violence.
! Strengthened national response, including by ! The 7th National Development Plan
2006-the health sector, to violence against women 2010 considers gender-based violence as an and girls, taking into account linkages to integrated, zero-tolerance approach and also
protection and legal services (UNDAF 2011-advocates for the elimination of violence
2015, expected output). against children.
Programmes and plan of action
1Domestic Violence bill is in the parliament. Deliberation at comiitteee stage has been finished. The bill was submitted to parliament in 2010
COUNTRY SITUATION OF GBV
The Ministry of Gender and Family, Maldives with technical assistance from WHO and financial support from UNFPA and UNICEF, conducted the Study on Women's Health and Life Experiences. The study consisted of a cross-sectional population-based household survey of women aged 15-49 years in 2582 households across the whole country.
The sample size represented 6% of all households in Maldives and 5% of the women's population
1
aged 15-49 years .
The most prevalent form of intimate partner violence is emotional abuse (29.2%) followed by physical violence (18%) and sexual violence (6.7%). Physical or sexual violence was reported by 19.5% of the women. 1 (Figure 1).
Salient Findings
Figure 1: Percentage of women reporting different forms of intimate partner violence, Maldives, 2006
that could hurt /was choked or burnt on purpose /Perpetrator threatened to use or actually used a weapon against her.
Was physically forced to have sexual intercourse when she did not want to /had sexual intercourse when she did not want to because she was afraid of what partner might do/was forced to do something sexual that she found degrading or humiliating.
Was insulted or made to feel bad about herself/was belittled or humiliated in front of other people/ Sexual violence by an intimate partner:
Emotional violence by an intimate partner:
perpetrator had done things to scare or intimidate her on purpose (e.g. by yelling or smashing things)
Figure 2: Percentage of different severities of injuries among women who have ever been injured by a partner, Maldives, 2006
Mild: cuts, punctures, bites, scratches, abrasions, bruises. Moderate: sprains, dislocations, burns.
Severe: penetrating injuries, deep cuts, gashes, broken eardrums,eye injuries, fractures, broken bones, broken teeth, internal injuries.
Unknown: other injury.
Intimate partner violence: All statistics related to
intimate partner violence are calculated as a proportion of women aged 15-49 years who have ever been in a relationship (married or just dating).
Physical violence by an intimate partner:Was
slapped or had something thrown at her that could hurt her /was pushed or shoved or had her hair pulled or cut / was hit with fist or something else
2 Booklet- [“You think violence against women doesn't happen in Maldives?” Think Again]
Unknown Mild Moderate Server
49.60%
10.40% 3.50%
36.50%
Intimidation
The prevalence of girl child sexual abuse is 12.2% in Maldives and the highest reported rate is from the capital, Male (16.3%). (Figure 3). 2
Figure 3: Percentage of women who reported experiencing sexual abuse before the age of 15, by region, Maldives, 2006
Girl child sexual abuse appears to be perpetrated predominantly by family members (48%). Acquaintants (26%) and strangers (26%) are also perpetrators of girl child sexual abuse. (Figure 4)2
Figure 4: Perpetrators of girl child sexual abuse, Maldives, 2006
COUNTRY ACTIVITIES IN COMBATING GBV
GWH-SEARO conducted a survey in October 2009 among the gender focal points in the WHO country offices of Member States using a questionnaire containing 23 questions under four clusters. The findings of the survey for Maldives are listed below.
Figure 5: Country activities in combating gender-based violence in Maldives, 2009
* The scale represents country-specific situation plotted against the maximum rating for 4 clusters of indicators:
(1) Legislations/policies/programmes (2) Resource (3) Research and (4) Evidence ** A lower score reflects lower evidence of GBV
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Percentage
North North
Central Central CentralSouth South Male Maldives
12.7 10.8 10
8.9 11.7
16.3
12.2
26 %
26%
48%
Stranger Acquainyance
Family
12
10 8 6
4 2 0
3 4
5 10
Scale*
Logislations/Police/
programme Resources Research Evidence**
4 5
3 5
Country Situation Total no. of indicators
The prevalence of girl child sexual abuse is 12.2% in Maldives and the highest reported rate is from the capital, Male (16.3%). (Figure 3). 2
Figure 3: Percentage of women who reported experiencing sexual abuse before the age of 15, by region, Maldives, 2006
Girl child sexual abuse appears to be perpetrated predominantly by family members (48%). Acquaintants (26%) and strangers (26%) are also perpetrators of girl child sexual abuse. (Figure 4)2
Figure 4: Perpetrators of girl child sexual abuse, Maldives, 2006
COUNTRY ACTIVITIES IN COMBATING GBV
GWH-SEARO conducted a survey in October 2009 among the gender focal points in the WHO country offices of Member States using a questionnaire containing 23 questions under four clusters. The findings of the survey for Maldives are listed below.
Figure 5: Country activities in combating gender-based violence in Maldives, 2009
* The scale represents country-specific situation plotted against the maximum rating for 4 clusters of indicators:
(1) Legislations/policies/programmes (2) Resource (3) Research and (4) Evidence ** A lower score reflects lower evidence of GBV
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Percentage
North North
Central Central CentralSouth South Male Maldives
12.7 10.8 10
8.9 11.7
16.3
12.2
26 %
26%
48%
Stranger Acquainyance
Family
12
10 8 6
4 2 0
3 4
5 10
Scale*
Logislations/Police/
programme Resources Research Evidence**
4 5
3 5
Country Situation Total no. of indicators
S.No. Category Activities
1. Legislation/policies and The country has a national action plan, health policy and programmes on GBV multisectoral action plan on GBV.
2. Resources for combating The following resources are available:
Ÿ Workshops and training for health providers.
Ÿ Activities on gender mainstreaming for prevention of GBV. Ÿ Data collection system for GBV exists in hospitals, NGOs,
legal aid centres, social support centres and in police stations.
Ÿ The facilities for helping the victims of GBV are available in
the police department, legal aid centres and in counseling centres.
Ÿ There is budget allocation for GBV in the country.
3. Research on GBV Research has been conducted on the cause and consequences of GBV.
Ÿ The country has findings on types of GBV, findings related to
the cause of GBV and findings related to women’s health due to GBV.
_
Ÿ GBV is present in > 15-years-olds and in > 15 year-olds. Ÿ Violence during pregnancy is present.
4. Evidence on GBV
Additional Information
Victims of GBVSpouse, family members and domestic helpers have been found to be the victims of GBV.
Types of GBV
GBV is present in physical, psychological, sexual, emotional and economic forms.
Findings related to women's health after GBV Mental disturbances, suicide, attempts at suicide, abortion and miscarriages, disability and death have been found to be related to women's health after GBV.
PARTNERSHIP IN COMBATING GBV
Violence during pregnancy
Violence during pregnancy is present in physical, psychological, sexual, emotional and economic forms.
Age of GBV victims
GBV in less than 15-year-olds exists in physical, psychological, sexual, emotional and economic forms.
GBV in more than or equal to 15 year olds exists in physical, psychological, sexual, emotional and economic forms.
Government initiatives
! On November 25, 2009, the Members of
Parliament in Maldives signed a declaration supporting the elimination of violence against women, recognizing the problem of domestic violence facing Maldives and undertaking to bear it in mind when legislating. The signing marked the 10th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
! Recognizing gender-based violence as a public
health issue, Maldives tertiary hospital and the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), established the Family Protection Unit under the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in August 2005. The unit was established with the support of the Ministry of Gender and Family, Ministry of Health and with funding from UNFPA and UNICEF, to provide support to victims of gender-based violence and child abuse that come through the hospital.
! With Ministry of Information, Arts and Culture
and UNFPA as the executing agency, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Security, Television Maldives and Voice of
Maldives have implemented a project titled - “Advocacy on gender equality and male participation through mass media”. Combating violence against women is one of the important components of the project.
! The Ministry of Gender, Family Development
and Social Security (MGFDSS) has conducted an orientation and sensitization workshop on VAW for the employees of ward offices and representatives from the Women’s Development Committees. Sensitization workshops and training, advocacy and awareness-raising activities on the issues of Domestic Violence (DV) / Violence Against Women (VAW) are also being carried out by the MGFDSS.
! As part of a multisectoral approach to
S.No. Category Activities
1. Legislation/policies and The country has a national action plan, health policy and programmes on GBV multisectoral action plan on GBV.
2. Resources for combating The following resources are available:
Ÿ Workshops and training for health providers.
Ÿ Activities on gender mainstreaming for prevention of GBV. Ÿ Data collection system for GBV exists in hospitals, NGOs,
legal aid centres, social support centres and in police stations.
Ÿ The facilities for helping the victims of GBV are available in
the police department, legal aid centres and in counseling centres.
Ÿ There is budget allocation for GBV in the country.
3. Research on GBV Research has been conducted on the cause and consequences of GBV.
Ÿ The country has findings on types of GBV, findings related to
the cause of GBV and findings related to women’s health due to GBV.
_
Ÿ GBV is present in > 15-years-olds and in > 15 year-olds. Ÿ Violence during pregnancy is present.
4. Evidence on GBV
Additional Information
Victims of GBVSpouse, family members and domestic helpers have been found to be the victims of GBV.
Types of GBV
GBV is present in physical, psychological, sexual, emotional and economic forms.
Findings related to women's health after GBV Mental disturbances, suicide, attempts at suicide, abortion and miscarriages, disability and death have been found to be related to women's health after GBV.
PARTNERSHIP IN COMBATING GBV
Violence during pregnancy
Violence during pregnancy is present in physical, psychological, sexual, emotional and economic forms.
Age of GBV victims
GBV in less than 15-year-olds exists in physical, psychological, sexual, emotional and economic forms.
GBV in more than or equal to 15 year olds exists in physical, psychological, sexual, emotional and economic forms.
Government initiatives
! On November 25, 2009, the Members of
Parliament in Maldives signed a declaration supporting the elimination of violence against women, recognizing the problem of domestic violence facing Maldives and undertaking to bear it in mind when legislating. The signing marked the 10th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
! Recognizing gender-based violence as a public
health issue, Maldives tertiary hospital and the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), established the Family Protection Unit under the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in August 2005. The unit was established with the support of the Ministry of Gender and Family, Ministry of Health and with funding from UNFPA and UNICEF, to provide support to victims of gender-based violence and child abuse that come through the hospital.
! With Ministry of Information, Arts and Culture
and UNFPA as the executing agency, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Security, Television Maldives and Voice of
Maldives have implemented a project titled - “Advocacy on gender equality and male participation through mass media”. Combating violence against women is one of the important components of the project.
! The Ministry of Gender, Family Development
and Social Security (MGFDSS) has conducted an orientation and sensitization workshop on VAW for the employees of ward offices and representatives from the Women’s Development Committees. Sensitization workshops and training, advocacy and awareness-raising activities on the issues of Domestic Violence (DV) / Violence Against Women (VAW) are also being carried out by the MGFDSS.
! As part of a multisectoral approach to
Country Contact Information:
Aminath Shenalin (Ms) WHO Country Office, Maldives Tel. +960 332 7519, 332 2410 Fax.+960 332 4210
Produced by:
Gender, Women and Health (GWH) Department of Family Health and Research
World Health Organization, Regional Office for South-East Asia World Health House, Indraprastha Estate
Mahatma Gandhi Marg, New Delhi-110002 Phone: 91 11 23370804, Ext 26301
