New York, 4 April 2025 – The Maldives has been elected to the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) for the 2026–2030 term, in an election held this morning 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—and fittingly, it strengthens the country’s global voice on gender equality.
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. Yet challenges persist, especially in workforce participation, and the Government is tackling them 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.
This is more than a seat at the table. It’s a platform to drive progress—globally and at home.
