Minister of Defense Mariya Ahmed Didi has stated female officers in the military made unprecedented progress in the past three years. She made the remarks in a document published by the Ministry of Defence on the occasion of the 130th anniversary of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
Noting that for the first time in the history of MNDF, three female officers have been appointed as Lieutenant Colonels, Minister Mariya said that changes have been brought to the framework of the advisory council to ensure that lieutenant colonel ranks are placed at the top of an apex organization such as MNDF. The defense minister stated that Samha Yoosuf has been appointed as the first female Sergeant Major in the Maldives in the past year, and captain Hana Mohamed has been appointed as the first female information officer of MNDF. She acknowledged that all MNDF boards have women, and female soldiers are active as honor guards, PSO, SPG agents, shooters, and firefighters.
Furthermore, the minister said that over the past year, significant progress has been made in improving the welfare of MNDF. Acknowledging the significant progress made in the military of Maldives, she thanked President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih for the special importance and vision for the Maldivian military.
MNDF officially commenced its services in April 1892. The theme for this year's MNDF Day is Peace of the Country - MNDF's Goal.