MACL Takes a Stand for Gender Equality at Maldives Travel Conference 2024

The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has reaffirmed its commitment to gender equality by sponsoring the Maldives Travel Conference 2024 Women's Edition, held at Hotel Jen. Organized by the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO), this pivotal event focused on advancing the role of women in the tourism industry and addressing gender imbalances in the workplace.

In her address, the First Lady emphasized the critical need for strong policies to drive meaningful change towards gender equality. She highlighted the importance of understanding and overcoming the challenges women face in their professional lives, underscoring the government's dedication to fostering an equitable work environment.

MACL's involvement in the conference aligns with its broader objective of supporting gender parity and empowering women across various sectors, including tourism. The company’s sponsorship aims to contribute to the government's goals of enhancing female representation and addressing workplace disparities. Senior General Manager of Aerodrome Management Services at MACL, Mahmooda Sharif, noted the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles within fields such as engineering and airfield management. Sharif stressed that while women are active in these roles, there remains a significant gap at the leadership level.

MACL Aerodrome Management Services Senior General Manager Mahmooda Sharif outlined MACL’s commitment to bridging this gap by creating more opportunities for women and focusing on merit-based advancement rather than gender biases. The company is implementing measures to promote women to higher positions and to address the specific challenges they encounter. This initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure that gender equality becomes a fundamental aspect of the workplace culture at MACL and beyond.
The Maldives Travel Conference 2024 Women's Edition featured two panel discussions that provided a platform for women in the tourism sector to share their experiences and insights. These discussions addressed the obstacles faced by women in the industry and explored strategies to improve their working conditions and career prospects.

The conference, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Women in Management, Women on Boards, and the Women Entrepreneurs Association - Maldives, aimed to foster dialogue and collaboration on gender equality issues. By highlighting and addressing the barriers faced by women in tourism, the event sought to drive systemic change and increase opportunities for female professionals in the sector.

MACL’s sponsorship and active participation in the conference underscore its commitment to supporting gender equality and advancing female leadership in tourism, setting a precedent for other organizations in the industry.