The Maldives has been elected as a member of the United Nation’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) for the term 2026-2030, marking a significant milestone that demonstrates the commitment by the Maldives to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The Maldives, alongside Qatar, Japan, China, and Mongolia, was elected to one of the five seats available to the Asia-Pacific Group in the elections held Friday in New York, at the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This marks the first international election the Maldives has contested and won under President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s leadership, further strengthening the country’s global voice on gender equality.
On the Maldives’ successful election, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu stated that it is a great honour for the Maldives to be elected for membership of the CSW. He extended congratulations to all countries who were elected to the Commission, and reaffirmed that the Maldives is ready to assist the Commission on pressing matters concerning women’s rights and empowerment through collective partnership.
The Government of Maldives made gender equality a national priority and entered the election with purpose. The country submitted its candidacy to the UN on 31 July 2024, grounded in a clear commitment to advance women’s rights and empowerment. This is the first time the Maldives will serve on the CSW, which sets global standards and policies on women’s rights and gender equality.
The Maldives joins the CSW with ambition and a policy agenda shaped by national experience and resolve. At the national level, the Maldives has strengthened legal protections under the Gender Equality Act and expanded women’s participation in local governance—from 6.1% of seats in 2017 to 39.5% today. However, challenges remain, particularly in workforce participation, which the Government is tackling through innovation, inclusion, and investment.
In the coming years, the Maldives will help shape the Commission’s agenda by sharing its perspectives, experiences, and priorities. The Commission will focus on transforming care systems in 2026, reviewing progress on SDG 5 and gender mainstreaming in 2027, addressing gender in humanitarian crises in 2028, and advancing access to justice and the elimination of discriminatory laws in 2029. The Maldives will contribute a Small Island Developing States (SIDS) lens and practical solutions—from investing in care infrastructure and reforming legal frameworks to integrating gender in climate policy and harnessing digital tools to expand opportunity.
The Maldives has made significant strides in advancing the rights and status both at national and international level through policies supporting women’s empowerment, legislative reforms and initiatives that foster women to participate at leadership roles across a diverse range of sectors.
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality, the rights and the empowerment of women. It was established in June 1946 under the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) resolution 11(II). The Commission consists of 45 member states: 13 from African States; 11 from Asia-Pacific States; 4 from Eastern European States; 9 from Latin American and Caribbean States; and 8 from Western European and other States. The election of members to the Commission is staggered, and Commission members are elected by the ECOSOC to serve for a term of four years, beginning from 1 January and concluding on 31 December.
The commission operates as the principle international intergovernmental body to promote the political, economic, social and educational rights of women. By assuming membership in the Commission, the Maldives looks forward to contribute meaningfully to the Commission’s work and provide recommendations to the ECOSOC on pressing matters concerning women’s rights and empowerment, underscoring the priority of the Government for the advancement and protection of women’s rights.