Minister of Gender, Family and Social Service Shidhatha Shareef decided to tender her resignation on Thursday.
Per local media Mihaaru, she informed ministry staff of her decision during an emergency meeting held in the morning.
Citing a ministry official that participated in the meeting, Mihaaru reports that Minister Shidhatha asserted she was not guilty of negligence in performing her lawful mandate. She reportedly stated that she made the decision as it was in the best interests of the current circumstances.
The minister is yet to make any official comments regarding her resignation.
Shidhatha's resignation comes amidst harsh public criticism of the gender ministry 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 came to light that the gender ministry had been aware of the allegations against Hishan but did not take any action. The issue surfaced after Hishan appealed a Family Court verdict denying him the legal guardianship of a 19-year-old youth.
Following this case, the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) called for Shidhatha's dismissal and on Wednesday approved to file a motion of no confidence against the gender minister if she did not resign.
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