Minister of Gender, Family, and Social Services Aishath Mohamed Didi has stated women have achieved significant progress in the country's foreign relations sector. She made the statement while speaking at the official ceremony to confer the Rehendhi Awards 2020-2021.
In her speech, the gender minister said the Maldives is continuing to eliminate the barriers obstructing the empowerment of women and that the most significant progress has been made in the foreign relations sector. As such, she said 8 of the 16 foreign missions are being led by women, which is a remarkable improvement compared to any other point in the history of Maldives foreign relations.
Rehendhi Awards were conferred to celebrate the efforts and accomplishments of women in the Maldives and to empower more women to play key roles in national development. Rehendhi Awards also endeavour to recognise the work of organisations and individuals striving to break barriers against gender equality.
The annual awards show was postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the winners of Rehendhi Awards 2020 were conferred their awards at this year's award show. As such, the 2020 awards were conferred to Fathimath Ibrahim, Mariyam Sunana, Aishath Hussain Manik, Aminath Ameena, Hawwa Latheef, Minha Faiz Rashaad, and Shifza Mustafa.
Additionally, the 2021 awards were conferred to Ahmeema Luthufee, Aminath Saha Hashim, Zeeniya Ahmed Hameed, Nadiya Abdul Ghafoor, Hawwa Ramiza, Sergeant First Class Nasreena Hassan, Shiyama Ahmed, and the Women's Development Committee of Fonadhoo, Laamu Atoll.