UN Headquarters: Speaking at the opening of the 2013 Annual Session of the Executive Board of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), the Maldives highlighted its agreement with the newly formed strategic plan for the 2014-2017 period and emphasized the recent progress Maldives has made on Women's issues. Represented by Ahmed Sareer, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, the Maldives welcomed a streamlined approach that is more goals orientated, and committed to being actively involved in the refining the plan further.
Having taken up its position on the Executive Board at the beginning of this year, this is the first time the Maldives has become a member of the board of a Specialized Agency, Fund or Program of the United Nations. UN-Women was prioritized due to a national focus and commitment to protecting and empowering women and girls, both at home and abroad.
In this regard, Ambassador Sareer emphasized recent initiatives such as its co-sponsorship of a General Assembly resolution aimed at ending all forms of violence against women and its passing of legislation such as the Domestic Violence Act. Maldives has also placed a high priority towards empowering women in both political and economic spheres.
