participation rate is low in some atolls due to various social and cultural customs. The current budget allocated to the MoLG is insufficient to conduct such programs in every single atoll of Maldives, according to the Ministry. Recommendations • Educate State and law enforcement officials on the full extent of international human rights obligations of the State Parties to eliminate subjective sex roles and wrongful stereotyping. • Create awareness on the importance of women’s participation in decision‐making processes in the society. Article 6: ‐ Trafficking and Exploitation of Women Concluding Observation‐ A holistic approach to trafficking and prostitution of women and girls, including the ratification of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons SAARC Convention (CO2007/3, para. 22) 26. State has enforced Anti‐Human Trafficking Act in 2013. The legislation includes articles stipulating prevention of human trafficking, prosecution of perpetrators, prescription of harsh punishments as a deterrent, granting protection and assistance, and protection of victims and cooperating with local as well as international NGOs to combat trafficking in persons. The provisions related to human smuggling absent in this legislation is reflected in the current legislative agenda of the government. The government is yet to endorse all the procedures required under Anti‐Human Trafficking Act; namely procedure on victim identification, case management of potential victims, identification of areas of protection along with providing protection to potential victims and completion of services to victims. It is significant to note that prompt endorsement of these procedures would facilitate speedy implementation of this Act. 27. With the enactment of the Anti‐Human Trafficking Act, a committee to combat human trafficking was established. This Committee is mandated to advice the President, formulate programs at national level, monitor the implementation of policies and programs, provide assistance to NGOs working in this field, coordinate with international agencies to acquire technical assistance and facilitate coordination with all stakeholders to create awareness of this issue. MoLG with the responsibility to provide psychosocial support to the victims of human trafficking is not considered as a stakeholder in this committee. Presently, failure to maintain the quorum of the Committee remains as one the core challenges faced to carry out its mandate. Page 9 of 35