President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced plans to establish an elected Youth Parliament as part of the Government's ongoing efforts to empower young people, describing greater participation by youth and women as essential to strengthening democracy in the Maldives.
Speaking at the official Independence Day ceremony, President Dr Muizzu outlined several initiatives the Government has decided to implement to advance the role of young people and women. He said these efforts are vital to strengthening the country's democracy.
President Dr Muizzu said young people and women together make up more than two-thirds of the Maldivian population, and increasing their participation is a priority for strengthening the country's democratic and governance systems. He added that their participation is also essential to safeguarding the nation's independence for generations to come.
In this regard, President Dr Muizzu announced that the Government will establish a Youth Parliament comprising elected youth representatives.
He said the Government will also introduce amendments to the Constitution and relevant laws to empower young people and women politically.
"We will establish a Youth Parliament comprising young representatives elected from every constituency represented in the Maldives' Parliament. We will also introduce amendments to the Constitution to allocate a certain percentage of seats in the composition of the Parliament to young people and a certain percentage to women. God willing, we will submit these proposals to the Parliament in the coming days," President Dr Muizzu said.
The President said these reforms would provide young people and women with a permanent opportunity to participate in national decision-making.
President Dr Muizzu also stressed that economic empowerment is a key component of the Government's efforts to empower young people and women. He said economically empowering young people and women is one of his Government's policies.
As part of these efforts, he said the Government has recently introduced a loan scheme providing microloans to more than 5,600 young people. He also noted that the Government continues to provide various opportunities for young people and women as part of its efforts to expand the creative economy.
President Dr Muizzu further described National Service as an important initiative to nurture skilled young people who love their country and religion.
He said the programme is producing empowered young people who are patriotic, capable, productive, innovative and hardworking, and who are committed to serving the nation.