LEGAL REFORM THROUGH LIVED EXPERIENCE: TOWARDS SAFEGUARDING THE RIGHTS OF WORKING MOTHERS IN THE MALDIVES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31436/iiumlj.v34i1.1095Keywords:
Working Mothers, Legal Reform, Flexible Work, Maternity Leave, Parental LeaveAbstract
Despite recent legal reforms, working mothers in the Maldives continue to face systemic barriers that hinder their full participation in the workforce. This article explores the lived experiences of working mothers to evaluate the effectiveness of the existing legal protections and identify critical gaps in the legal framework. Using a qualitative legal research methodology, this study combines doctrinal analysis with data from semi-structured interviews with ten working mothers across the public and private sectors. The key findings include limited access to flexible working arrangements, disproportionate maternity leave entitlements, and insufficient paternity leave provisions in the current legal framework. The article proposes key reforms such as the standardisation of maternity leave, legal recognition of flexible work, and the introduction of parental leave. Drawing on the lived experiences of Maldivian working mothers, this article concludes that aligning national legislation with international standards and Islamic principles of justice and equity is essential to safeguarding their rights.
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References
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