Advancing Disability Inclusion in the Maldives: A Major Step Forward

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Maldives, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Maldives National Statistical Bureau, has successfully completed a comprehensive country situation analysis on disability inclusion has been completed under the UNPRPD project - a global partnership that unites UN entities, governments, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), and civil society organizations to promote the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and disability-inclusive Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This milestone marks a significant step toward advancing the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the Maldives.

This progress would not have been possible without the unwavering support of OPDs and CSOs advocating for persons with disabilities. Special thanks are extended to partners such as Maldives Deaf Association, Blind and Visually Impaired Society of Maldives (BVISM), Maldives Association of Persons with Disabilities (MAPD), Mental Health Support Group MV, ARC Maldives, and others for their commitment to promoting inclusion.

A 6-day capacity-building training in May/June 2024 brought together government bodies, service providers, OPDs, CSOs, and other relevant stakeholders to:

• Understand the implementation of CRPD & SDGs
• Learn about UNPRPD’s theory of change
• Prepare for the situation analysis

The completed analysis delves into the current disability inclusion context in the Maldives, identifies barriers to CRPD and SDG implementation, and explores opportunities to advance inclusion. It provides key recommendations and emphasizes the importance of partnerships with OPDs and CSOs to strengthen advocacy and policy planning.

“We extend our gratitude to institutions, councils, OPDs, CSOs, and individuals, including PWDs, parents, and support persons, for their insights in shaping the Country Situation Analysis,” said Pek Chuan Gan, UNDP’s Deputy Resident Representative. The final analysis, set for publication in 2025, will serve as a crucial resource as the Maldives continues to move towards a more inclusive and accessible future.

With valuable insights from both quantitative and qualitative data, the analysis will help guide future efforts to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities are fully realized in the country’s policies and programs.

UNDP, the government, and the UN Country Team remain committed to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities in the Maldives, ensuring that inclusion is at the heart of future development actions and programs.