NAME OF ORGANIZATION:

Ministry of Women's Affairs and Social Security

ADDRESS:

4th Floor, Umar Shopping Arcade
Chandhani Magu, Henveiru
Male
Republic of Maldives
Tel: (960) 323687 or 317164
Fax: (960) 316237
Email: kamana@dhivehinet.net.mv

STATUS:

Governmental

HEAD OF ORGANIZATION:

Minister of Women’s Affairs and Social Security

YEAR OF ESTABLISHMENT:

1979: The "Preparatory Committee for the International Decade for Women" was established under the then National Planning Agency.
1981: The Preparatory Committee was renamed as the "National Women's Committee" to act as a focal point for women's development under the Office of the President.
1986: The Office for Women's Affairs was established to promote women in development and the "National Women's Committee" was renamed the "National Women's Council" (NWC).
1989: The Office for Women's Affairs was upgraded as the Department of Women's Affairs (DWA).
1993: The DWA expanded and was elevated to the Ministry of Youth, Women's Affairs and Sports (MYWAS).
1996: The NIMAS was renamed the Ministry of Women's Affairs and Social Welfare CMWAST.
1998: The MWASW changed to the Ministry of Women's Affairs and Social Security evlWASS).

OBJECTIVES AND FUNCTIONS:

To plan, administer, implement, monitor and evaluate all development projects and action programmes for women.

MAJOR ACTIVITIES:

* Plan and implement programmes and projects to ensure participation of women in the social and economic development of the country.
* Conduct awareness programmes on the opportunities for women in development from the senior government official's level to the grassroots level.
* Plan and implement development projects such as the National Development Policy and other development projects, to include the components of the Women's Policy.
* Monitor women's social and economic participation to disclose their status and contribution towards the development of our nation.
* Plan and propose projects to potential donor agencies and acquire funding in accordance with the set procedures.
* Act as a focal point for women when working in the international arena.
* Advice and extend possible help to activate the women's comrl-iittees and women's organizations.
* Do all possible work to prevent the rate of early marriage and divorce in the Maldives.
* Create awareness programmes in collaboration with the relevant government bodies on early and frequent pregnancies.

STAFF:

Female Male Total
Managerial 1 -
1
Professional 1 - 1
Clerical 7 1 8

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE:

Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Security