Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services has stated that Child Care Spaces will be established in state-owned offices to alleviate the difficulties faced by working parents in caring for their children during work hours.
In a written response sent to the Parliament of the Maldives answering inquiries, Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services Aishath Mohamed Didi said efforts are underway to establish a centre for daycare services in Male' City at an affordable level as part of the government's Strategic Action Plan. She said plans to establish a daycare centre under the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Strengthening Gender Inclusive Initiatives (SGII) project has also been cancelled due to a lack of space in the city. She also said that on the advice of the President's Office, the ministry will set up such centres in the offices of government and government-owned companies. She said centres will be established at the State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) and Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) before the end of the year.
Housing Development Corporation (HDC) is also working on a 3,000-acre, six-storey, daycare centre in Hulhumale'. The daycare is being developed with state-of-the-art facilities to accommodate people with special needs.