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Aishath Mohamed Didi appointed as new gender minister

Fathmath Shaahunaz
09 February 2020, MVT 17:06
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (R) appoints Aishath Mohamed Didi as the Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services on February 9, 2020. PHOTO/PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
Fathmath Shaahunaz
09 February 2020, MVT 17:06

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih appointed Aishath Mohamed Didi as the Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services on Sunday afternoon.

Aishath Mohamed Didi, who held the post of Ambassador of Maldives to India until her new appointment, was sworn in at the President's Office by Judge Husnu al-Suood of the Supreme Court. President Solih witnessed the oath-taking and presented the new minister with her official credentials.

She had previously served as the gender minister from 2005 to 2008, during the presidency of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. A longtime contributor and advocator for social issues, she was known for her volunteer work to defend the rights of women and children, and advocating for education.

She was a member of the UN task force on gender, UN task force on youth and adolescents, and Society for Health Education, and she was chairperson of the Gender Equality Council, board of Children's Home Governing, and Council for the Rights of Children.

Aishath Mohamed Didi has Master's and Bachelor's degrees in arts, and a diploma in teaching.

President Solih appointed Aishath Mohamed Didi following the resignation of the former gender minister, Shidhatha Shareef, last week.

Shidhatha stepped down amidst harsh public criticism over a series of child sexual abuse and paedophilia cases that came to light over January and this month, including allegations against the former Disability Ambassador Ahmed Hishan. It recently surfaced that the gender ministry had been aware of the allegations against Hishan but did not take any action. Subsequently, the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) had approved to file a motion of no confidence against Shidhatha.

Following her resignation, Shidhatha declared that she made the decision as it was in the best interests of the current circumstances, asserting that she had not been guilty of negligence in performing her lawful duties.

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