The Maldives has released a Climate Change Gender Action Plan covering 2026 to 2031 that places women's economic empowerment at the centre of national climate action.
Prepared by the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare, the framework identifies barriers that limit women's ability to respond to climate risks. These include limited access to finance, markets and public decision-making, particularly in outer islands.
The plan notes that women's contributions to climate-sensitive livelihoods such as home-based production, food security and fish processing are not fully reflected in national statistics. This can restrict their access to climate investment and institutional support.
Proposed measures include targeted credit schemes for adaptation-related businesses, assistance with climate grant applications, financial literacy training, and mentoring for women entrepreneurs in food production and nature-based enterprises. It also calls for a gender-responsive budgeting framework and greater involvement of Women's Development Committees in island-level climate planning.
Quotas for women's participation on the National Adaptation Plan's steering and advisory committees are suggested, along with better collection of sex-disaggregated data. Implementation is phased, with short-term actions in 2026-2027, medium-term measures through 2029 and longer-term work to 2031.
Financing is expected to come from government budgets, development partners and international climate funds, though no detailed costed budget is provided. The document acknowledges risks including limited public financing, weak coordination and social barriers.
