Honouring Women at Rehendhi Awards, First Lady Sajidha Affirms Women’s Elevated Status in Faith and Society

First Lady Sajidha Mohamed on Saturday evening delivered a pointed defence of women’s central role in society, declaring that women embody the very origin of a nation’s life and are inherently owed full dignity and respect.

Her remarks came during the Rehendhi Award ceremony, where she honoured recipients of the accolade for both 2024 and 2025, presenting them with awards and brooches.

The first lady urged Muslims to reflect on the elevated status accorded to women in Islam, underscoring that the religious framework prohibits belittlement or injustice toward women solely on the basis of gender. She noted that this principle of fairness extends across spiritual and economic spheres. “Justice prevails in the determination of recompense, whether for good or bad deeds,” she said.

She added that women face no hindrance in matters of property ownership or commerce. “Likewise, in other transactions, including the ownership of property and conducting trade, being a woman does not present any hindrance or lead to any reduction,” she said.

Reflection within the faith, she stated, confirms the exalted status, justice, fairness, honour, and dignity bestowed upon women by Almighty Allah. “When we Muslims deeply examine and reflect upon the tenets of Islam, we confirm the elevated status bestowed upon women by Almighty Allah within His faith, encompassing justice, fairness, honour, and dignity,” she said.

She stressed that recognising women as the origin of a nation or ummah requires an appreciation of the maternal role. Mothers, she said, serve as the first teacher and the first helper for every human being. “To state it concisely, the mother serves as the first architect in shaping a nation across all the principal aspects involved in its construction,” she said.

The duty of motherhood, she continued, must remain central regardless of other responsibilities. She called for compassion and prayers for all who aspire to become mothers. “Consequently, regardless of whatever obligations we may fulfil, the duty of a mother must perpetually remain central to our memory. Furthermore, it is vital that we sustain our complete compassion and offer good prayers for all those individuals who hold the aspiration and hope of motherhood,” she said.

Turning to the ceremony, the first lady described the Rehendhi Award as a symbol of the skill, competence, and courage inherent in women. She affirmed that the accolade is intended to recognise the great services rendered by women.

She characterised the award more broadly as a mechanism to empower women, enhance their skills, expand opportunities across all fields of endeavour, and elevate their position and status in society. The first lady concluded her address by extending congratulations to all recipients honoured during this year’s ceremony.

Government showcases women’s empowerment gains at Rehendhi Awards

Speaking at the award ceremony, Dr Aishath Shiham, Minister of Social and Family Development stated that the government’s efforts to advance women’s economic empowerment are producing visible results. She outlined policy achievements while acknowledging the challenges that continue to hinder women’s full participation in national life.

The minister noted that before assuming office, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu consulted widely with women across the country to understand their circumstances and the obstacles preventing economic advancement. Among the most significant difficulties identified were the barriers women faced in starting or expanding businesses.

In response, the government introduced targeted measures, the impact of which is now becoming evident. Central to this strategy is a dedicated loan scheme. “To bring an end to this matter [the challenges women face in business], a dedicated loan scheme valued at MVR 100 million (approximately USD 6.49 million) was established exclusively for women,” the minister said.

She added, “Furthermore, to ensure this scheme was fully inclusive, 25% of the funds were specifically reserved for women with disabilities. The results of the work initiated by this administration to economically empower women are now becoming evident. This loan has already been disbursed to 83 parties.”

Beyond economic initiatives, the government has prioritised increasing women’s contribution to nation‑building and enhancing their representation in decision‑making roles. The minister highlighted that raising the proportion of women in these positions is a central policy objective.

She cited specific achievements, including the increase in the proportion of women appointed to the boards of government‑shareholding companies, now at 27%. “It is with pleasure that we note that women now occupy the highest executive positions in key institutions, including the National Social Protection Agency, Aasandha Company Limited, the Capital Market Development Authority, the Maldives Pension Administration Office, and the Maldives Airports Company Limited. Furthermore, numerous other highly capable women continue to serve in vital roles, executing valuable and challenging work across various sectors,” the minister said.

She expressed satisfaction that many capable women hold important roles across diverse sectors, and affirmed that the government is actively working to ensure women operate at the forefront and are afforded opportunities to weigh in on national matters.

Despite measurable progress, the minister cautioned that substantial work remains to ensure protection and continued advancement for women. She identified violence against women, in its various forms, as a primary obstacle to progress.

To address this, the government is prioritising reforms to laws and regulations. These revisions are intended to respond to emerging issues and introduce further measures to secure women’s rights and safety. The minister highlighted that the work undertaken by the government aims to pave the way for women’s advancement across multiple fields, successfully making them an economically empowered segment of society.

The Rehendhi Awards, fifteen recipients honoured

The Rehendhi Awards, conferred by the Ministry of Social and Family Development since 2014, were established to honour women’s invaluable service. The award serves as national‑level recognition of the contributions of prominent women, as well as institutions and associations working for their progress.

Minister Aishath Shiham affirmed that the award is more than a celebration of success; it is a platform that showcases women’s progress and development. She described it as a symbol of the difficult and crucial work women perform, ranging from family formation to national development.

The objectives of the Rehendhi Award include recognising women’s accomplishments for the development and progress of the country, encouraging greater female participation in national service, and increasing representation in traditionally underrepresented sectors.

This year’s Rehendhi Award ceremony, held at Barceló Nasandhura Malé, honoured 15 recipients across the 2024 and 2025 cycles. Submissions were accepted in three categories: individual women, associations or societies, and areas of institutional gender mainstreaming.

For 2024, 22 women applied, with five recipients selected, all recognised in the Social Empowerment category: Maryam Inasha, Maryam Murshida, Asma Hassan, Aishath Thaifa, and Women Enhancement (NGO).

For 2025, 28 women applied, with 10 recipients selected across four categories. In the Social Empowerment category, the honourees were Aishath Hussain, Thurayya Ibrahim, Aminath Adam Koe, Dr Rukhshana Ahmed, Sameena Ibrahim, and Safaath Ahmed Zahir.

In Leadership and Governance, the award was conferred upon Aminath Reema Rasheed and Aminath Suzan. The Economic Empowerment category recognised Aishath Waheedha, while the Non‑Traditional Work Sector award was presented to Zahiyya Mohamed.

The ceremony underscored the government’s commitment to recognising women’s contributions to community welfare and national progress, while highlighting the broader agenda of empowerment and representation.