Result of women empowerment apparent: Minister

Social and Family Development Minister Dr. Aishath Shiham said last night that the result of women empowerment is now apparent.

During the Rehendhi Award ceremony, the minister said that increasing the number of women in the workforce in building the nation and decision making is an important policy of the government.

While highlighting the increase of women in relevant job positions, Minister Shiham said that state company board appointees who are women have increased by 27 percent. Minister Shiham also said that women make up the senior roles in companies such as NSPA, MACL, Aasandha and CMDA.

"These days, there are women in senior roles in fields where women were underrepresented," said the minister.

As per the minister, of the 58 women who are registered at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Maldives, 36 percent of them are in senior positions. She also said that while there were only 12 percent of women in the Police force in 2019, that number has gone up to 21 percent as of late. Women comprised 21 percent in the civil service industry in 2022, with it now being at 45 percent, said Minister Shiham.

She also stated that there is an ongoing increase in women empowerment economically, along with women in senior roles.

Women who are lawyers and judges have increased to 16 percent, with 66 percent of women having attained their Masters Degree in various fields last year, along with 70 percent of PhD holders being women, said Minister Shiham.

"This shows that women play an important role in building up the nation," said the minister. 

Minister Shiham said that results are being seen in the work being done to include women in the economic industry.

She stated that after President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu took office, one of the biggest challenges faced by women are the obstacles in taking business loans.

And so, the minister said that a MVR 100 million loan scheme has been arranged as a solution, with loans having been given to 83 people as of now. She highlighted that 45 percent of them have started businesses and are benefiting from it.

25 percent of the loan scheme is set aside for those with disabilities.

As per Minister Shiham, more work needs to be done to ensure women's rights even with these accomplishments.

The minister said that the challenge faced in women's progress is the abuse faced by women. She went on to say that there are amendments being made to the law in order to stop such abuse, with the problems that arise needing to be discussed and steps to be taken in ensuring women's rights.

There is work being done to amend the Domestic Violence Act and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Harassment Act. A review of the Gender Equality Act has been put on next year's agenda as well, said Minister Shiham.