Malé, Maldives – Government of Maldives and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed an agreement for a USD 7.5 million grant and USD 2.5 million technical assistance from the Government of Japan to implement the Strengthening Gender Inclusive Initiatives project.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Government of Maldives and the Asian Development Bank at a special ceremony held at the Ministry of Finance yesterday morning.
The agreement was signed by Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer on behalf of the Government of Maldives. Thiam Hee (Bernard) Ng, the Director in Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Division, South Asia Department with the Asian Development Bank, signed the agreement on behalf of the ADB.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services Aishath Mohammed Didi said the ADB-funded project will facilitate the provision of protection to women and families who are victims of domestic violence.
Minister also said the project will help reduce the level of violence against women in Maldives and increase women’s participation in social and economic affairs.
Minister also thanked the staff of the Asian Development Bank, Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, Maldives Bureau of Statistics, Family Protection Authority and Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services for their efforts in various aspects of this special project.
The ADB-funded project is being implemented over a five-year period with the aim of achieving five main outcomes.
The five objectives of the project are;
- Strengthen the management of statistics related to the Minti sector;
- Introducing gender responsive budgeting and training of staff to prepare a gender responsive budget when preparing the budget;
- Increasing the capacity of the social security service delivery sector;
- Increase community participation in assisting victims by reducing gender-based violence and domestic violence;
- Establishing three shelters or ‘safe homes’ that provide temporary protection to victims of abuse. The three safe shelters will be established in Raa Atoll, Addu City and Hulhumalé.
