Thirty Women Complete Practice Parliament for Women 2026, Strengthening the Future of Women's Leadership in the Maldives

13 June 2026, Malé, Maldives - Thirty women from across the Maldives have successfully completed the Practice Parliament for Women 2026, strengthening their knowledge, confidence, and leadership skills to engage more effectively in democratic processes and public decision-making.

Implemented jointly by UNDP Maldives and the People's Majlis, , the programme brought together women from diverse backgrounds to experience the realities of parliamentary leadership through experiential learning and a mock parliamentary session.

The participants represented a broad cross-section of Maldivian society, including elected local councillors, Women's Development Committee members, civil servants, educators, and community leaders. The cohort also reflected geographical diversity, with participants joining from the northern, central, southern, and Greater Malé regions.

Over the course of the programme, participants explored parliamentary procedures, debated policy issues, and developed practical skills in negotiation, consensus-building, and public leadership. Sessions also examined the role of civic actors in policymaking and highlighted the importance of gender equality, disability inclusion, human rights, and intersectionality in legislative processes. The theoretical sessions were put into practice in partnership with HerGov - a Maldivian civil society organization advancing gender-responsive and inclusive governance who facilitated law review sessions for the participants based on the content explored in the training.

The programme aims to empower women to become active participants in public life by demystifying democratic institutions and strengthening their capacity to pursue leadership and elected positions.

Since its launch in 2021, UNDP Maldives and the Secretariat of the People's Majlis have successfully conducted seven editions of the Practice Parliament for Women. With the completion of this year's programme, more than 260 women from across the Maldives, representing the northern, central, and southern regions of the country, have benefitted from the initiative. Participants have included women from councils, political parties, civil society organizations, government institutions, media, and local communities. This year's cohort comprises 30 women, including 18 women with disabilities. The continued enthusiasm and participation of women across the country reflect a growing demand for greater representation and meaningful engagement in decision-making processes.

While the Maldives has made important progress in advancing women's participation in governance, significant gaps remain. The introduction of local council quotas (33%) has contributed to increasing women's representation in local councils to nearly 40 per cent. However, women continue to face barriers in accessing pathways to leadership and influencing policymaking at all levels including the parliament where the current number of women parliamentarians is 3 out of 93 members.

Programmes such as Practice Parliament seek to address these challenges by creating opportunities for women to build confidence, strengthen leadership skills, expand professional networks, and gain first-hand experience of democratic institutions.

"Leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about having the courage to step forward," said UNDP Maldives Deputy Resident Representative, Pek Chuan Gan, during the closing ceremony. "When women participate fully in public life, democracies become stronger, institutions become more responsive, and societies become more resilient."

UNDP expressed its appreciation to the People's Majlis for six years of steadfast partnership and for its continued technical and financial commitment to the programme.

The Government of Australia was recognized for its longstanding commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment in the Maldives, and for making the flagship Practice Parliament for Women and Practice Parliament for Youth series possible through its sustained support and facilitation over the past several years. This partnership has been instrumental in strengthening the design and delivery of the programme, expanding opportunities for women to gain practical leadership experience and to engage more meaningfully in public and political life.

Practice Parliament for Women contributes to advancing the Maldives' commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 on Gender Equality, SDG 10 on Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 16 on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

As the first programme in this year's Practice Parliament series concludes, preparations are already underway for the next chapter. The Practice Parliament for Youth, planned for August 2026, will continue to invest in inclusive leadership and civic participation, helping build a future where decision-making reflects the diversity, talent, and aspirations of all Maldivians.

About Practice Parliament for Women

Practice Parliament for Women is a leadership and civic engagement initiative jointly implemented by UNDP Maldives and the People's Majlis. Through knowledge-sharing, experiential learning, and a mock parliamentary experience, the programme seeks to strengthen women's understanding of democratic processes, build confidence in public leadership, and encourage greater participation in governance and political life across the Maldives.