Gender Minister Shidhatha Shareef has revealed that it is a goal of the government to empower women through economic participation as a result of better business opportunities for women.

The Minister made the remarks while speaking during the opening ceremony of 'Sustainable Growth of Women Entrepreneurs and Export Promotion (SWEEP) held by Madhya Pradesh Association of Women Entrepreneur (MAWE) in Jabalpur.

Minister Shidhaatha noted that the biggest contributors to the Maldivian economy were the Tourism sector and Fisheries sector and highlighted that the government was actively working to increase women's participation in these sectors.

She further added that it was vital to have female representation in policy making level and stressed that we already have female representation in the highest level of this.

Highlighting on the works done by the government in their bid to increase women entrepreneurs, Minister Shidhaatha said that the government has worked to make mobile banking and loans easily accessible for women in the atolls.

During the ceremony, the Minister also revealed that the Gender Equality Policy and Gender Equality Action Plan is almost done, through which men and women get equal opportunities in steering the Maldivian economy.

Minister Shidhaatha is currently heading a 21 member team who is participating at SWEEP 2019.