Insights from Female Council Members

The 8th Amendment to the Decentralisation Act in the Maldives introduced a 33% quota for women in local councils, resulting in 389 women elected to 981 seats. While this measure aimed to increase women’s participation in decision-making, it hasn’t automatically translated into influence, especially for women facing additional vulnerabilities such as disabilities. This assessment, commissioned by the Local Government Authority and UNDP Maldives, explores the impact of the quota on women's participation and influence in local governance. It aims to provide recommendations for creating an environment that supports women’s meaningful involvement in decision-making, complementing the legislative change for island development. The assessment draws on key studies and reports, including past research on women’s political empowerment in the Maldives.