The President ratified the seventh amendment to the Judges Act (Law no. 13/2010) on March 10, 2022. This amendment grants female judges the right to maternity leave and male judges the right to paternity leave.

Female judges are entitled to six months paid maternity leave and male judges are entitled to one month paid paternity leave.

Judges are further entitled to additional maternity and paternity leaves specified in the Maldives Employment Act (Law No. 2008/2).

This amendment is a step in the right direction, as it will provide more support for female judges who are pregnant or planning to have a child. It also recognizes the important part that fathers play during the pregnancy and after the birth.