Launch of the Gender Data Use Report, Statistical Action Plans and & validation of the Maldives National Strategy for the Development of Gender Statistics

The Maldives Statistical System (MSS) is working to produce and deliver quality and reliable statistics to achieve greater use of statistics to contribute to informed decision making by the government, businesses, households, and the community at large. Gender-responsive data on the demographic, social, economic and environmental situation of the country support the Government development agenda. This event will launch of the report on gender data use in policymaking as well as recommendations and a national statistical strategy to strengthen official statistics.

Background

The Maldives Statistical System (MSS) is working to produce and deliver quality and reliable statistics to achieve greater use of statistics to contribute to informed decision making by the government, businesses, households, and the community at large. The National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) 2021-2030 provides a plan for modernising statistical capacity of the Maldives and emphasises the importance of gender-sensitive and quality statistics. MBS and the Maldives NSS has developed a yearly action plan on statistics for the implementation of the NSDS in 2025-27. In 2024, MBS worked with various ministries to help them develop sectoral action plans. The action plans were budgeted and submitted to the Ministry of Finance to mobilise public finance under the budget cycle 2025.

Gender Data Use Study

Gender-responsive data on the demographic, social, economic and environmental situation of the country support the Government development agenda. In 2023, the Maldives Bureau of Statistics (MBS), the Ministry of Social & Family Development (MSFD), and PARIS21 implemented a joint study to identify the barriers and enablers of meaningful use of national gender statistics in policymaking. Stakeholders from across government institutions, non-state actors, and development partners were engaged to draw insights. The findings were validated in a national workshop in December 2023 together with a set of recommendations for strengthened gender data use in policymaking, which emerged from study. Integrating feedback from stakeholders, the report is now finalised and ready for dissemination.

National Strategy for the Development of Gender Statistics (NSDGS) 2025-2030

The National Strategy for the Development of Gender Statistics in the Maldives builds on the strong gender focus of the NSDS 2021-2030, taking into account the demands of the new policy priorities and developments in the data ecosystem of the Maldives. The findings highlighted from the gender data use study feed into the draft strategy which will seek inputs from the Government, state agencies and civil society.