President Solih shares vote of confidence in breakthroughs in Gender Equality in The Maldives at Rehendhi Awards

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated that the purpose of the Rehendhi Awards is to celebrate the efforts and accomplishments of women in the Maldives and to empower more women to play key roles in national development. In addition to these goals, President Solih shared the focus that Rehendhi Awards intends to show in recognizing the work of organizations and individuals striving to break barriers against gender equality.  

President Solih shared that the government had always aimed to promote and reinforce gender equality in all areas, especially the social and political arena, highlighting his government’s amendments to the previously flawed Decentralization Act. 

The absolutely essential amendment to the Decentralization Act mandated one-third of each council to be female councilors and the establishment of a Women's Development Committee with 5 members elected from each island. The President noted the success of the endeavor, stating that 39.5% of elected councilors were female, allowing women to have a strong impact on decisions that affect their lives, livelihoods and local communities. Women are already playing the most significant role in national development, he said, as women make up some 78 per cent of the education sector in the Maldives. 

However, President Solih made the important remark that the participation of women in national development and representation in all sectors definitely has room for massive improvement. He acknowledged that there were still many barriers and difficulties hindering women from enjoying the same opportunities and benefits ESPECIALLY in the Maldives but worldwide as well. He expressed his confidence with pride that, as more women are empowered to play major roles in society, the Maldives can move forward towards a fully impartial and unbiased nation with equal rights and participation from men and women. 

He went on to note that a large number of women had taken part in the efforts to safeguard the nation from Covid-19, with several women spearheading the recovery efforts and vaccination drives. He highlighted the work of the Director-General of Public Health, Maimoona Aboobakuru, and Dr Nazla Rafeeq and Dr Nazla Musthafa, stating that there are numerous other women who had played prominent parts in the efforts, and that we must show our appreciation and gratitude for their diligence. 

President Solih ended his statement with thoughtful prayer to bring strength and courage to all women in the Maldives, and to make our nation a safe and peaceful environment for all women with a truly commendable abundance of equal opportunities.