Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services Aishath Mohamed Didi has stated women have played a prominent role among the COVID-19 frontline workers, despite the additional difficulties faced by women amid the pandemic.
The gender minister made the remarks at the high level online meeting held to mark the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 75th United Nations General Assembly.
Speaking at the meeting, the gender minister highlighted the prominent role played by women at different levels amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In this regard, she noted women are prominent among staff of the Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC), frontline workers active in collecting samples and conducting tests as well as operating the COVID-19 medical facilities and isolation facilities established in the Maldives.
The gender minister said COVID-19 has only exacerbated the numerous challenges women have always encountered, yet it is women who repeatedly rally from the frontlines, meeting all difficulties head on and prevailing and conquering. She added in view of the Beijing Platform of Action and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the government led by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has laid out specific goals and policy objectives which focus on many areas concerning women, including power and decision making, violence against women and economic empowerment.