Global threats related to increasing greenhouse gases and an associated rise in the sea level are real issues of concern to an island nation like the Maldives where most of the population lives on land hardly above mean sea level. Increased population pressure and growing demand for space in the form of reclaimed land threaten the lagoons and reefs on which so much of the country's economic survival depends. Factors that further damage the country's natural wealth are increased pollution silting up lagoons and illicit activities like coral quarrying. New efforts and initiatives are required to ensure the sustainability of the country's terrestrial and marine-based resources and to enhance resource management. It is crucial to incorporate gender roles in addressing economic, environmental and population issues.
Ö A national campaign to inventory the floral and fauna wealth of the islands is therefore essential. The atoll-based women's community organizations can make an important contribution to this effort.
Ö The government's distance education programme could also play an important role in disseminating knowledge about the national bio-resource heritage to people living in atolls.
Ö Business management training for women should therefore also be part of any atoll-based vocational training programme.
Ö Women from each island should be trained in integrated pest management and given responsibility for nursery management on a rotational basis.
Ö Technology can be introduced to reduce the hours Maldivian women spend working on burdensome domestic tasks and to increase the economic value of their work. Technology can improve productivity, both in economic and social values.
