37. Economically active women dominate in stereotypical and socially acceptable sectors such as education, health, small scale manufacturing. 82 38. Slightly over half of working population were women, nonetheless LFP of women remained low.83 While progressive developments in maternity and paternity policy shifts to encourage LFP of women are in effect, it is yet to be integrated into law.84 Additionally, it addresses only one segment of the unpaid care burden by women.85 Labour force participation rate 46% 77% Figure 16. Labour Force Participation. NBS,2019 86 39. Uneven distribution of unpaid care work of women irrespective of their employment and marital status87 and lack of affordable state funded child-care options persisted as challenges to women’s LFP.88 It is distressing that 12% of children under 5 were left alone or in care of another child younger than age 10 for more than one hour.89 Proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work 15% 5% Figure 17. Proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work. NBS, 201690 40. Participation of Maldivian women in the tourism industry was at 3%.91 Factors that discourage women working in resorts include unavailability of commuting options,92 culturally and religiously enforced restrictions on women’s roles and mobility.93 Figure 18. Representation of local women in tourism industry. NBS,201994 41. Structure of economy and locality of women also influences availability and accessibility to employment opportunities.95 Unavailability of vocational certification, low employment opportunities coupled with occupational gender segregation in small 19