Transparency Maldives has stressed on the importance of identifying and addressing the barriers for women’s equal political participation.

TM said this in a press release issued on the closing of polling stations after Sunday’s parliamentary elections for the 20th People’s Majlis term.

Stressing that Maldives is ranked at 175 out of 184 countries highlighted in the Inter Parliamentary Union’s index of parliaments in terms of gender balance, TM noted that the island nation currently scores the lowest in the South Asia region.

With this, TM has asserted that it is imperative that relevant authorities identify and address the barriers for women’s equal political participation.

TM has urged political parties to work proactively to review internal mechanisms and policies to address challenges to women’s representation.

Political parties have also been encouraged to boost efforts to increase women’s representation in elections.

TM has also pushed for equality of women in political participation and more efforts to ensure this.

Provisional results showed that only three out of all the women who contested for seats, won.

A total of 41 women contested for seats in the parliamentary elections held on Sunday, including some who are presently serving as parliamentarians.

Two female candidates who won seats in Sunday’s election, contested with the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) tickets. The other one was an independent candidate.

The women who won seats are incumbent president Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s younger sister Fathimath Saudha who vied for the Nilandhoo seat, Asma Rasheed who vied for the Central Maafannu seat and government-endorsed candidate for Huraa constituency Anara Naeem.

The 19th tenure of parliament consists of three parliamentarians representing former ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and one representing ‘The Democrats’.

The drop in female representation in the upcoming parliament tenure comes at a time President Muizzu had earlier pledged to increase the percentage of female representation in parliament.

He also pledged a special allowance to female MPs who secure seats after running with the ruling coalition’s tickets.