President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has called on local councils to strengthen support and assistance for Women’s Development Committees (WDCs).
President Solih this morning chaired the third session of the Viavathi Raajje conference, underway in Ukulhas Island of the Alifu Alifu Atoll, focusing on the administration’s efforts to empower women, the inclusion of women, and the role of WDCs in the development of society.
President Solih held 77 different meetings last year with local councils and members of WDCs. One of the complaints noted during his meetings with some of the WDCs reflected the lack of support from local councils, with a few WDCs raising the issue of incommensurate working environments. He then urged the help of local councils to address this concern.
The President also highlighted the initiatives of his administration to empower women. He ratified amendments to the Decentralisation Act in December 2019, allocating a third of council seats to women, which saw the election of 388 women to local councils. Coupled with the election of WDCs, the President said that women’s role in development is growing exponentially.
President Solih was joined on the panel by Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi, Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer, Education Minister, Gender Minister Aishath Mohamed Didi as well as the MP for Thullhaadhoo constituency Hisan Hussain
