The Minister Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusan declared that discrimination would have no place within the Maldives' enforcement agencies, emphasising that skill, ability, and passion for work would be the sole criteria for employees.
The Minister made these remarks at the inaugural Women in Policing Summit in the Maldives, marking a significant step towards gender equality in the security sector.
During the summit, a landmark Inter-Agency Declaration on Leadership Capacity Development of Women in Security and Enforcement Sector of the Maldives was signed by the Maldives Police Service, Maldives Correctional Service, Maldives Immigration, and Maldives Customs Service.
Minister Ihusan lauded this joint initiative as the beginning of a significant pathway to ensure equal opportunities for women.
The Minister highlighted the growing courage and determination of women in enforcement, noting these qualities are crucial for overcoming challenges and safeguarding society.
He observed a positive shift in societal attitudes towards women in such authoritative roles, acknowledging that women are now proving their capability for significant leadership responsibilities. This, he stated, underscores the government's commitment to eliminating gender discrimination and fostering equal opportunities.
"Expanding the role of women in law enforcement is a major vision of the government and the President," he affirmed, detailing that modern training, education, and advancement opportunities are being provided to female employees within these agencies.
He reiterated that the future direction of the field is clear where priority will be given based on an individual's skills, abilities, and passion, with an explicit assurance against gender-based discrimination.
The Minister also stressed the importance of international cooperation and collaboration with various international agencies, describing them as a major driving force for the development of enforcement agencies.
He expressed belief that the insights and experiences from experts in leading global agencies will provide a substantial advancement for the entire Maldivian security sector.
The summit brings together representatives from seven Maldivian security and law enforcement agencies, alongside 10 international partners, including UNODC, Interpol, UNICEF, and UNDP. Experts from India, Japan, China, the UK, and Australia are also sharing their experiences and insights.
Over the next three days, participants will engage in extensive discussions covering a wide array of topics. These include developing work skills for women officers across various enforcement agencies, addressing the unique challenges they face, and exploring practical solutions. Specialised sessions are slated for areas such as investigation, technical skills, and intelligence operations. A significant component will involve sharing and developing best practices and work experiences gleaned from developed countries and international agencies.