The Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Ahmed Nazim, has expressed concern over the limited representation of women in decision-making positions in the Maldives.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) Standing Committee on Investing in Youth - AFPPD’s Sub-Regional Parliamentarians’ Meeting on Women Empowerment and Investment in Young People in South Asia, the Deputy Speaker highlighted the challenges and risks facing the Maldivian population.
Nazim noted that despite efforts to empower women, the proportion of women in decision-making leadership roles in the Maldives is significantly low. He pointed out that out of 93 seats in the Parliament, only three seats are currently held by women, and expressed his concern. Nazim said that policy makers should take action to address the imbalance.
"In institutions such as Customs, majority of staff are women. However, the number of women representing decision-making positions in the Maldives is worryingly low,” Nazim said.
Nazim also congratulated Member of Parliament Dr Anaara Naeem on her election as a member of the AFPPD Executive Committee. He said her appointment proves the country’s leadership role in this area.
The AFPPD Standing Committee on Investing in Youth is a two-day meeting in the Maldives, under the theme, “Women Empowerment and Investment in Young People in South Asia”.