President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih says the government had always aimed to promote gender equality in all areas, including the social and political arena.
He made the comments while speaking at the official ceremony to confer the Rehendhi Awards 2020-2021 held last night at Rehendi School in hulhumale.
President Solih said his government’s amendments to the Decentralisation Act, which 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 percent of elected councilors were female, allowing women to have a strong impact on decisions that affect their lives, livelihoods, and local communities.
President said that women are already playing the most significant role in national development, as women make up some 78 percent of the education sector in the Maldives.
In his speech, the President noted 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.
