Third Committee
Intervention by the Republic of Maldives to the Report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, Ms. Dubravka Simonovic
Statement by: Ms. Farzana Zahir, Joint Secretary
United Nations, New York, 10 October 2016
Thank you Madam Chair,
My delegation would like to welcome the presentation made by Special Rapporteur and commend her for the work carried out in this important area.
This is an area of high priority for the Maldives. Among several stringent laws and policies already in place to prevent violence and to protect women and girls, the newly enacted Gender Equality Act in August this year, will drastically enhance the legal policy framework for gender equality; providing full protection of the rights and no place for discrimination based on gender as well as establishing institution-wide compliance mechanisms. We have also acceded to the Optional Protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children.
My delegation would like to welcome the Special Rapporteur's plans to focus on protection and services for women survivors of violence, in particular shelters and protection orders, and a code of conduct for law enforcement agents and security sector personnel dealing with violence against women. We also welcome compilation of good practices that could guide the establishment of shelters and support for women and children, and a compilation of good practices on protection orders.
Although stringent laws and policies are in place, many countries including the Maldives are still constrained in providing adequate assistance in dealing with such crimes and appropriate support services for victims of violence. We believe, the Special Rapporteur can therefore play in an instrumental role in this regard.
Thank you.
