Minister of Gender Family and Social Services, Aishath Mohamed Didi has stated that work to establish Child Care Spaces in government offices is currently ongoing.

Hinnavaru Member of Parliament (MP) Jeehaan Mahmood requested an update on the establishment of daycare centers as part of the government's efforts to ease the challenges faced by women in the workplace. It is part of the government's strategic action place as well.

The Minister noted that efforts to establish a daycare center in Male' City were unsuccessful due to the lack of a proper space to do so. Aishath said the Gender Ministry also failed in its bid to build a daycare center by including it in the Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded Strengthening Gender Inclusive Initiatives Project, and that the project has since been removed from the initiative due to the same reason.

Aishath said the Gender Ministry then researched alternate models to support working parents and engaged in discussions with the President’s Office regarding establishing childcare centers in offices in August. Aishath said the Gender Ministry submitted a discussion paper to the Social Council, which advised the ministry to implement the recommendations on the paper.

She further noted that a daycare space will be established in STELCO and MPL by the end of the year.