Are Women and Men Treated Equally at Work in Maldives?

I used to think my home country really had its act together regarding gender equality, but a recent experience completely shifted my perspective. It involved a situation in a department where there was a pattern of behavior from a male supervisor and department head that made us, a few women in our early twenties, feel constantly diminished. They seemed to imply we weren’t as capable simply because we weren’t men. This wasn’t just a one-off; it felt like something deeply ingrained.

Perceived Lack of Men

From the moment we started, it was clear our presence was viewed in a specific light. Our male colleagues, especially our supervisor, often talked about how few men were in the department. They’d express concern, as if our gender was an issue they needed to address. It created an atmosphere where we felt judged and unfavorably compared.

There were times during meetings with other departments when our supervisor would ask us to handle note-taking. While taking notes is a normal task, the way he framed it, the way he treated us in those moments, suggested he saw us more as assistants than as professionals with our own contributions to make. It felt like a subtle way of pushing us into supporting roles.

This dynamic extended further. We sometimes found ourselves coming in on Saturdays to finish tasks that were actually his responsibility. We’d complete the work, and then he would present it as his own achievement to our manager. It was disheartening to see our efforts acknowledged indirectly while he received direct credit.

The recurring comments about needing more men in the department weren’t just background chatter; they actively devalued our contributions. It was as if our gender inherently made us less suited for our roles. We felt like we were temporarily filling positions that were meant for someone else, making it hard to feel truly part of the team.

Subtle Undermining Tactics

Beyond the professional sidelining, there were many smaller interactions that chipped away at our confidence. It felt like these were intentional stumbles, designed to make us feel less capable, almost like “weak girls.” These microaggressions, accumulating over time, created a really uncomfortable and discouraging environment.

A prime example was the repeated focus on the fact that three of us didn’t know how to ride bicycles. This is a personal skill, completely unrelated to our professional competence. Yet, our supervisor and department head would bring it up often. They’d say things like, “Girls should learn how to ride, be independent,” using a phrase that implied a lack of independence on our part.

This wasn’t a helpful