President announces doubling budget for Women’s Development Committees

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced plans to double the budget allocation for Women’s Development Committees (WDCs) from next year.

In a social media post, President Muizzu said the government would raise the allocation from five to ten percent of council budgets and shift the Ramadan allowance for WDC members to council budgets, rather than drawing from the committees’ own funds.

The law amended in February provides WDC members with a formal salary in place of allowances, alongside a Ramadan stipend.

Since last Ramadan, the government has been paying MVR 3,000 to each committee member.