News DeskMALE, Maldives — In an address at the opening ceremony of the “Maldives Travel Conference 2024 – Women’s Edition,” First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed issued a clarion call for gender equality in the Maldivian tourism sector. She underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to gender mainstreaming, acknowledging the deep-seated challenges that continue to hinder women’s full participation in the industry.
“The issue of gender disparity in tourism is not just about numbers; it’s about the systemic barriers that prevent women from thriving in this sector,” the First Lady remarked. Her speech touched on the lack of a conducive environment for women in resorts, societal stigmas, and the persistent glass ceiling that hinders women’s advancement to leadership roles.
The First Lady’s address comes at a critical time for the Maldives, a nation where women’s participation in the tourism sector remains staggeringly low. According to the latest census, women make up only 3% of the tourism workforce, a sector that employs few Maldivians and constitutes less than 6% of the working-age population.
Madam Sajidha highlighted the critical need for a work environment that supports women’s unique challenges, particularly the necessity of maternity leave and the broader understanding of their biological responsibilities. “Rejecting women from employment due to their biological roles is not just unfair; it’s a step backward in our pursuit of gender equality,” she asserted.
Her words resonate in the context of broader national issues. Unemployment remains a pressing concern, particularly for women, who cite household and care work as primary reasons for being out of the labor force. This is echoed in a report by UNFPA and UN Women, which illustrates the gendered nature of unemployment in the Maldives.
Despite these challenges, the Maldives has made notable strides in other areas, such as poverty reduction, universal primary education, and lowering child and maternal mortality rates. The country is categorized as having high human development, ranking 90th on the Human Development Index (HDI) with a value of 0.747. However, gender disparities remain, particularly in the economic arena, as reflected in the Gender Development Index (GDI) and the Gender Inequality Index (GII), where the Maldives ranks 83rd out of 191 countries.
Women in the Maldives have achieved gender parity in secondary education, but this progress does not extend to higher education or employment. While women constitute a significant portion of the civil service and dominate fields like teaching and nursing, their presence in key economic sectors like tourism remains minimal. Furthermore, the labor force participation rate of women stands at 45.6%, and they continue to earn 34% less than their male counterparts, despite higher levels of education.
Madam Sajidha’s call for change was not just about highlighting these disparities but about transforming them into actionable policies. “We must listen to the women in our industry, understand their challenges, and use these insights to shape policies that bring about real change,” she urged.
The First Lady’s speech was met with resounding applause, and she was presented with a token of appreciation by the Maldives Association of Travel Agents & Tour Operators (MATATO) at the event. Her message was clear: the path to gender equality in the Maldives is complex, but with concerted effort and commitment, it is a goal that is within reach.
