The ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s Parliamentary Group on Wednesday, submitted a motion of no confidence against Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services Shidhatha Shareef.
The decision to file the motion was supported by a unanimous decision from the 45 MPs who participated in the vote.
The motion was influenced by widespread criticism against Minister Shidhatha following the recent cases of child sexual abuse and paedophilia that came to light, including allegations against former 'Disability Ambassador' Ahmed Hishan.
He is accused of assuming guardianship of a then-19-year-old individual, even after the Family Court moved against transferring legal custodianship to Hishan.
Although the ministry was aware of the case since 2017, the ministry iterated that the individual had, with the parent's permission, consented to living with Hishan in his apartment in capital city Male'. Gender Ministry noted that the matter was treated based on the individual being an adult and legally possessing the authority to make such decisions.
However, in light of the allegations against Hishan and rumours that the individual was not sound of mind, experts from the ministry are currently assessing the youth to determine whether they are capable of making sound decisions.
Gender Ministry has since taken the person into state protection.
Ruling party parliamentarians on Wednesday called for Shidhatha's resignation during the emergency debate filed by Galolhu South MP Mickail Naseem regarding state inaction against Hishan.
Hishan was appointed 'Disability Ambassador' on December 2019 by Vice President Faisal Naseem but was later revoked due to the allegations. The state had also awarded him the National Award in the area of social services.
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