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Building on the results of previous programs in Maldives, in August 2020 ABA ROLI began the Strong and Inclusive Maldivian Democracy (SIMD) Program. In partnership with the USAID Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (USAID/CEPPS), ABA ROLI’s component of the SIMD Program works to increase the efficiency and responsiveness of the Maldivian justice sector. ABA ROLI implements SIMD in partnership with local organizations including the Bar Council of the Maldives, Public Interest Law Center, and governmental and independent institutions.

On November 19, 2022, a key milestone was reached in the Maldives as the first Maldives' Bar Exam was successfully administered by ABA ROLI and Bar Council of Maldives (BCM), as mandated under the Legal Profession Act (LPA). The bar exam is one of the two essential requirements outlined in the LPA for individuals seeking to become licensed lawyers and is considered a crucial step towards standardizing the legal profession in the Maldives. The data collected from the exam’s psychometric analysis, demonstrated that the first Maldives bar exam met international best practice standards, as evidenced by key statistical quality indicators for a new licensing exam.

In addition to its involvement in the bar examination, ABA ROLI plays a crucial part in strengthening BCM's core operations, assisting the institution in achieving financial autonomy and impartiality. This support includes strategic guidance and facilitating connections with sister bar associations and international forums.

The program has achieved significant milestones, including extending legal aid and representation to disadvantaged populations residing in remote areas of Maldives. ABA ROLI has dedicated itself to providing pro bono legal services to individuals from low-income backgrounds or marginalized communities and through this initiative, ABA ROLI has assisted a total of over 3900 individuals, ensuring access to legal support for those in need. Additionally, aligning with the National Strategic Action Plan (NSAP) priority to strengthen judicial accountability and integrity, ABA ROLI conducted a comprehensive Situational Analysis of Sexual Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace for the Maldivian Judicial Staff, which proposes recommendations to the Maldives Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for enhancing employment conditions and promoting gender equality. Furthermore, ABA ROLI collaborates with the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) and the Judicial Academy (JA) to enhance training programs for judges and court personnel, improve court management practices, and increase public access to court-related information.

To strengthen the anti-corruption efforts of the country, ABA ROLI provided training in financial investigative skills to investigators from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Through the SIMD program, ABA ROLI also organized workshops on MEL and extended support to develop a Case Management System (CMS) for the ACC. These initiatives have been instrumental in empowering the Maldives' ACC, equipping them to implement additional measures that streamline the complaint evaluation process and effectively reduce the backlog of cases.

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