Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services, Shidhatha Shareef has said that Maldives is very behind in the role of women in politics and law making.  

The Minister made this statement while speaking on the situation in Maldives at the Commission in Status of Women.

She noted in her address that while there are 85 constituencies at the Parliament, there are only five women currently occupying these seats.

The Minister said that the lack of proper representation at the highest levels mean that policies encompassing the entire population are not being prepared.  

She said in her speech that a solution needs to meet with the social and economic difficulties faced by women in Maldives.

Minister Shidhatha noted however that women’s role in politics and finance are vastly improving under President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration. As such, she noted the efforts taken to increase the involvement of women in these fields.

She further reiterated that the government is directing efforts to improve accessibility of finances for women in local islands, through mobile banking and proper transport of funds via speed boats.

On that note, the Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services, said that special loans for women in agriculture will also be implemented in the near future.