Enact evidence bill, witness protection bill, criminal procedure code and Juvenile Justice Bill. Strengthen coordination amongst stakeholders dealing with child abuse and rehabilitation measures of victims. Abolish child marriages. Improve availability of counseling facilities at educational institutions. Establish independent forensic institution and abolish death penalty for minors. Women’s Rights 20. Absence of requisite procedures, inconsistencies in institutional applications and lack of sensitivity among law enforcement and judiciary towards DV are fundamental issues faced in implementation of DV Act. MPS failed to meet legislative deadline to submit the annual report to FPA. Limited capacity of investigators and their belief that such cases are family matters inhibit victims from getting redress.33 FPA with a mandate to combat DV is not provided with necessary financial and human resources. Reporting of DV cases remain low as a result of lack of confidence in the system, fear of intimidation by perpetrators, stigmatization and inadequate information on protection measures. There is no proper reintegration mechanism. There are no strict punishments to perpetrators of DV although the state has reported otherwise in the “mid‐term assessment of implementation of UPR” on recommendation (100.64).34 However, violation of a protection order is a punishable offense as that of a court order violation. 21. Increase in religious conservatism, cultural norms and stereotypical roles depicted by society inhibit women’s equitable participation in public life.35 Women remain under represented in all branches of the state and efforts to secure legislative quotas remain unsuccessful. 22. Government has agreed to remove the reservation for Article 16. 1(a)(b)(e)(g)(h) and 2 of CEDAW, however, no concrete action has been taken. Take concrete measures to implement DV Act. Introduce appropriate punishments in DV Act. Remove reservations from Article 16 of CEDAW. Introduce legislative quotas for women representation. Labour 23. Government is yet to establish minimum wage and unemployment benefit. Non‐existence of minimum wage has a detrimental effect for employees working in private sector, especially migrant workers. There is an alarming rise in unemployment especially among youth and women.36 Additionally, lack of opportunity is one of the main reasons for being unemployed.37 Sexual harassment at workplace remains a daunting reality.38The bulk of complaints received by state institutions are related to unfair dismissal, wage claims, breach of contract and violation of employment rights of migrant workers. The monitoring efforts of government are hindered due to budgetary constraints. Implementation of employment Act remains a key issue in realizing employment rights. Establish minimum wage and unemployment benefit. Strengthen measures to ensure implementation of Employment Act. Migrant Workers 24. Migrant workers are subjected to inhumane conditions like being accommodated in overcrowded places which lack proper ventilation, adequate sanitary facilities and limited accessibility to water.39 Maltreatment and negative attitudes towards migrant workers are a concern. Accessing services from LRA is a challenge for migrant workers based at atolls due to transportation difficulties as many remain reluctant to seek assistance for fear of deportation due to undocumented status. Ratify ICMW. 7 Human Rights Commission of the Maldives – UPR submission 2014