Building a Maldives where every girl can thrive, lead and break barriers
A message on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2025
About
"As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I want to reaffirm UNICEF’s unwavering commitment to advancing the rights and well-being of girls and young women in the Maldives—not just today, but every day.
The Maldives has made significant progress in gender equality in education by achieving universal access to primary and lower secondary education with gender parity, drastically reducing child and maternal mortality, and establishing a strong legislative framework, including the Domestic Violence Prevention Act and the Gender Equality Act.
Despite these advancements, girls and women continue to face challenges that require our collective commitment, investment, and action:
- Too many girls and young women do not feel safe at home, in schools, online, in workplaces, or in their communities.
- Their livelihoods, housing/living conditions, and societal norms and expectations continue to impact their mental health and overall well-being.
- While girls often excel in school, fewer transition into leadership roles—particularly at decision-making levels.
- Young mothers struggle to balance caregiving and professional aspirations, sometimes forced to sacrifice career growth.
These challenges are complex and interconnected. No single institution or intervention can solve them alone. Meaningful progress requires collaboration among all stakeholders, working together to advocate for and drive real change.
That is why UNICEF Maldives launched the Collective Impact Platform on Adolescent Girls last year—bringing together partners and stakeholders to accelerate efforts in advancing girls’ rights and empowering young women. A crucial part of this initiative is ensuring that girls themselves are included in these discussions and that their voices are heard in shaping their future.
During my time in the Maldives, I have had the privilege of engaging with incredible young women—members of our Youth Reference Group and Climate Guardian cohorts in Malé and the atolls, who are determined to create positive change for themselves and their communities. Their passion and leadership inspire hope for a more inclusive and equitable future.
As we mark this important day, I also urge boys and men to actively participate in promoting gender equality and supporting the empowerment of girls and young women.
By working together, we can break down barriers and create a society where every girl and woman in the Maldives can thrive, lead, and achieve her full potential."
