IPU welcomes Maldives milestone in tackling violence against women

The Maldivian parliament passed with a majority vote the Sexual Harassment Bill ©Maldivian parliament

IPU has welcomed the passing of a sexual harassment bill by parliament in the Maldives as another milestone in the country’s efforts to tackle violence against women.

The bill will provide legal protection to victims at the workplace, educational institutions and places that provide health and social services. It states the need to increase public awareness on the legal prohibition of sexual harassment and sets out clear guidance to report this kind of behaviour before ad hoc committees at the workplace, institutions or ordinary courts of justice.

IPU had provided expertise and comparative global information on sexual harassment legislation in the technical review of the bill.

Passed with a majority vote by parliament, the bill would allow the Maldives to fulfil its obligation to prohibit, prevent and investigate acts of sexual harassment defined in international human rights conventions such as CEDAW and the ILO Convention No 111. It follows the adoption of the Domestic Violence Act in 2012 which IPU also helped review.

One in three women in the Maldives has experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, often at the hands of a partner or family member. Once ratified by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, the bill will become law.