GAM's SG re-elected despite sexual assault allegations

Guest House Association of Maldives (GAM) re-elected Saudhulla Ahmed to the position of Secretary General (SG), despite his dismissal over allegations of sexually assaulting a female staff member.

Saudhulla was among six individuals that secured positions on GAM's Executive Committee following an internal election.

On July 11, 14 members of the association's Steering Committee unanimously voted to remove Saudhulla from the committee, as well as the position of SG.

At the time, Maldives Police Service also confirmed an ongoing investigation into a sexual assault case involving an administrative officer at GAM.

In a detailed account shared earlier on Facebook, the victim stated that Saudhulla began harassing her at the workplace on her first day on the job. She noted that Saudhulla assisted in securing the job for her while she was in need of employment, but did not expect him to demand inappropriate favours in return.

As per the victim, Saudhulla repeatedly groped her, pressured her for sexual favours, and spoke to her in unprofessional manners.

Despite constant rejections and requests to stop his advances both politely and furiously, she stated that he continued to harass her, even declaring that "he always gets what he wants".

As per the employee, Saudhulla threatened to jump off the balcony of his residence when she decided to resign from her position at GAM, and the association's Steering Committee moved to report the case to the authorities.

According to the victim, she decided to submit the case to the authorities when Saudhulla attempted to change the narrative by claiming that she was spreading false allegations, and tried to exert influence on GAM's investigation into the matter.

Moreover, the victim claimed that Saudhulla was attempting to sweep the issue under the rug by using political connections. Saudhulla is the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s President at Fuvahmulah South area, as well as a member of the party's national congress.

Local activists have raised concern over the re-election of an accused perpetrator, linking the action to wider social issues of violence against women.

Public ire remains high over the government's meagre record of arresting and convicting perpetrators of sexual offences despite several promises to support the rights of children and women.

Protesters demanding justice for rape and sexual assault victims held demonstrations during June and July in front of Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services as well as the roads of capital Male', following an upsurge of reported cases including those involving allegations against high profile individuals.