The Ministry of Social and Family Development has announced that the digitisation of its data will enable the secure storage of data collected under the Ijthimaaee Badhahi Madhadhuverin (IBAMA) programme.
IBAMA is a community-based initiative focused on vulnerable children and families across the Maldives. The programme emphasises the active involvement of island communities in identifying and addressing social issues.
According to the Ministry, information regarding the IBAMA programme was shared with the Parliament’s Human Rights and Gender Committee. Speaking at the Parliament Committee, Lead Social Worker at the Ministry of Gender and Family Development, Akram Hassan, said the IBAMA programme has been implemented in all but three atolls across the Maldives. He noted that the programme will be implemented in the remaining atolls by the end of this year.
Akram highlighted that the Ministry is currently working on digitising all of its data due concerns on how sensitive data has been previously stored. Stressing the importance of the secure handling of all such information, Akram said a system where information collected through IBAMA is stored safely is currently being developed.
"Methods to securely store information gathered through IBAMA have been developed. We are working to further expand this by ensuring that IBAMA members in the atolls are able to input data instantly into the system,” he added.
Akram said the information needed to develop an assessment tool will be collected based on the financial and education indicators of vulnerable individuals living in different parts of the country. Despite working through a system, such work will take time, he noted, adding that the positive outcomes will become evident when stakeholders collaborate effectively.