MP of Addu-Meedhoo constituency Rozaina Adam has said that a quota based system needs to established in order to broaden women’s role in Parliament.

Speaking to One Online, Rozaina said that some countries have established quota systems in order to empower women in politics and to broaden the role of women in Parliament. She said that there is no other way to widen the scope of politics women are involved in, other than to introduce quota systems at Parliament.

Rozaina had said this in reference to the lack of opportunity for women in the recent MDP primaries held to determine party tickets for the upcoming 19th Parliamentary elections. She said that every single previous administration had commenced with the promise that women’s roles in politics will be broadened. However, Rozaina noted that women do not gain nearly as much progress when running in an election.

Only four out of 21 women had succeeded in the MDP primary elections held last Friday. One of the current MP’s, Eva Abdulla holds the party ticket for that constituency as no other candidate ran for the same ticket. There are also currently only four women occupying seats in the 18th body of Parliament.