Maldives Advances Disability Inclusion with Launch of National Action Plan and UNPRPD Situation Analysis

Malé, 4 February 2025: The Maldives today marked a historic milestone in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities with the launch of the first National Action Plan on Disability Inclusion (NAPDI) and the first comprehensive Situation Analysis on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the Maldives. The event brought together government officials, UN partners, civil society, and representatives of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs).

A Rights-Based Shift in Disability Inclusion

The Situation Analysis (SA) provides a comprehensive review of the current state of disability rights in the Maldives, highlighting systemic gaps, limited multisectoral coordination, and the need for stronger governance mechanisms. Conducted in 2024 with the support of the Global Disability Fund (GDF) and in partnership with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MoSFD), the Maldives Bureau of Statistics (MBS), Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), Civil Society Organisations, and local councils, the SA forms the evidence base for informed policy and service delivery.

"The Situation Analysis calls for multisectoral coordination, harmonized data systems, improved referral pathways, and empowering OPDs and CSOs as full partners in planning, implementation, and monitoring," said Adnan Cheema, UNDP Resident Representative in the Maldives.

National Action Plan on Disability Inclusion (NAPDI)

The NAPDI, the first action plan of its kind in the Maldives, was developed through a participatory, inclusive, and bottom-up process led by a Technical Working Group of OPDs, CSOs, and disability advocates. It reflects the principle "Nothing about us without us", ensuring that persons with disabilities shape policies that directly impact their lives.

Validated in April 2025 by 139 participants from 41 state bodies, OPDs, CSOs, and UN agencies, the NAPDI aligns with the Disabilities Act (Law No. 8/2010), international human rights commitments, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The five-year plan integrates disability inclusion across all sectors-from health, education, employment, and justice to climate resilience and disaster management-through a twin-track approach, combining targeted interventions with mainstreaming.

"The NAPDI is a framework for turning legal commitments into tangible action. By embedding inclusion in governance, service delivery, and national policies, it ensures that persons with disabilities can participate fully and equally in society," added Mr. Cheema.

Partnerships Driving Inclusion

The development of both the Situation Analysis and NAPDI reflects a strong partnership between government institutions, OPDs, CSOs, and UNDP. Key contributions included a six-day capacity-building training in May 2024, nationwide data collection, and collaborative consultations to align institutional priorities with national and international commitments.

Looking Ahead

The launch represents a significant step in shifting the Maldives from welfare-oriented approaches to a rights-based and social model of inclusion. Effective implementation of the NAPDI will require sustained multisectoral collaboration, inclusive budgeting, participatory engagement of persons with disabilities across all islands and communities, and effective oversight mechanisms.

UNDP Maldives reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Government, OPDs, and civil society to ensure that disability inclusion is not an add-on, but a foundation of sustainable development.