Friday 16 September 2010, Geneva;H.E. Ms. Iruthisham Adam, the Maldives Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations at Geneva today responded to a new UN report on the discrimination against women, in law and practice by focusing on the measures the Maldives' Government has implemented to eliminate discrimination against women domestically.
The report was compiled by the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights and emphasised the fact that, despite the efforts of the international community, women around the world continue to face unacceptable barriers to the full and equal enjoyment of their human rights.
Responding to the report, Ambassador Adam reiterated the priority the Maldives' Government places on eliminating discrimination against women. The Maldives is currently in the process of developing a range of legislative bills and government programmes designed to dismantle the barriers many Maldivian women face in society. Such strong national legislation, she emphasised, was necessary due to the deep-rooted cultural and social nature of these norms and called for the strengthening of international support for such measures.
Ambassador Adam also highlighted the paramount importance the Government attaches to the work of the Special Procedures and its commitment to engaging with all UN Human Rights systems and mechanisms. In 2006, the Maldives extended a Standing Invitation to Special Procedures and since then, has welcomed four country missions. She noted that national, sub-regional, regional and international human rights mechanisms play complementary roles and should therefore work closely together to promote and protect human rights. In an effort to share best practice between Asian states and strengthen regional cooperation, the Maldives will host the 16th Asia-Pacific Workshop in 2012.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Fathulla Jameel Building, Malé, 20077, Republic of Maldives, | Tel Number: 00960 332-3400 | Emergency Contact: 00960 798-3400