Relevant Laws
Child Rights Protection Act
The Act determines the rights of children, the responsibilities of children, the responsibilities of families, communities, the State and other persons in relation to children, and the rules for the provision of care and protection to children.
Ratified in November 2019 on the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), this act marks significant changes in the legal protection of children in the Maldives.
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Domestic Violence Prevention Act
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Special Provisions Act to Deal with Sexual Abuse Offenders of Children
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Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Harassment Act
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Sexual Offences Act
The English translations of the relevant laws were made by Family Legal Clinic with grant assistance from Australian Aid and in partnership with Lexis Nexis Southeast Asia.
Relevant Conventions & Optional Protocols
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
The CRC is a landmark international agreement ratified by Maldives in 1991, which explains who children are, and outlines the rights of children to protection, provision and participation, as well as the responsibilities of governments.
All the rights are connected, they are all equally important and they cannot be taken away from children.
A child friendly version of the CRC was developed by ARC in partnership with UNICEF Maldives.
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Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children child prostitution and child pornography
(OPSC)Ratified in 2002
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Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict
(OPAC)Ratified in 2004
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Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on Communications Procedure
(OPCP)Ratified in 2019
UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
The CEDAW is the key international agreement on women’s human rights which was ratified by Maldives in 1993.
One of the most important steps in eliminating discrimination against women is to ensure that young children are aware of the rights guaranteed to girls by CEDAW, including the rights to education, health, employment, marriage and family life.
A child friendly version of the CEDAW was developed by ARC in partnership with UNICEF Maldives.
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
The CRPD is a legally binding international agreement ratified by Maldives in 2006, which ensures children and adults with disabilities enjoy the same rights as others, and are treated fairly and with dignity.
A child friendly version of the CRPD was developed by ARC in partnership with UNICEF Maldives.