President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has called to bolster efforts “to ensure that all women can live with dignity and free of violence and abuse”.

The president said this in a tweet sent out on Wednesday, to mark the International Day of Eliminating Violence Against Women.

His deputy, Vice President Faisal Naseem delivered remarks on the occasion as well.

Reiterating the government’s ongoing efforts to prevent abuse and violence against women, Naseem said that this stems from its “firm conviction in gender equality and human rights”.

Noting that violence against women remains a serious problem throughout the world, the vice president highlighted that over one-third of Maldivian women have suffered from some form of violence or abuse.

He added that “far too many perpetrators escape justice and that too many survivors still do not have easy access to the care and resources they need to rebuild their lives”.

Noting that the incumbent government has tasked itself with addressing these longstanding issues, Naseem said that this is more urgent now than ever before, given the increased reports of domestic violence following the restrictions imposed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Further, VP Naseem noted that the government has established a designated hotline to urge victims of domestic abuse to report violence during lockdown.

He stressed that the government remains committed to “implementing plans to establish domestic shelters and safe-spaces for victims of abuse, to reform the criminal justice system to hold perpetrators accountable and to changing mindsets and traditions which are harmful to women” despite the challenges of the pandemic.

Vice President Naseem concluded his statement by stating the Maldives long with its international partners must do all “to ensure that women throughout the world are treated with respect and dignity and can live their lives without the fear of abuse”.