Domestic violence bill “good example” of cross-party cooperation: UN

The United Nations has congratulated the passing of the bill to address domestic violence in the country, describing it a “good example” of how dialogue among different groups and cross-party cooperation can yield beneficial results to the country.

According to a statement released by the UN office based in capital Male’, “The successful vote on the Domestic Violence Bill is a testament to the passion, optimism and dedication of the political parties, ministries, non-government organisations and grassroots activists who actively worked to reach this goal.”

UN Resident Coordinator Andrew Cox meanwhile said in the statement: “The enactment of the Domestic Violence Bill into law is urgently needed in the Maldives which has a high rate of gender-related violence, particularly affecting women and girls.”

“The passage of the bill is a good example of how dialogue among different groups and cross-party cooperation can yield beneficial results to the country,” Cox noted.

A national survey on “Women’s Health and Life Experiences” conducted with the support of UNFPA, UNICEF, and WHO showed that one in every three Maldivian women aged 15-49 reported experiencing some form of physical or sexual violence at least once during their lifetime.

Meanwhile, information from Family Protection Units indicates a high prevalence of gender based violence including child abuse, and that 87% of the perpetrators are known to the survivors.

“The passage of the DV bill is in line with Maldives’ international obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The last CEDAW Report on the Maldives underscored the urgent need to address gender-based violence in the country, to put in place the appropriate legislative frameworks for prevention and protection, and the building of stronger protective services for women and children. ” the statement reads.