President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has pledged to increase the salaries of Women's Development Committee (WDC) members in January next year. He made the statement during discussions with WDC members in his ongoing trip to Shaviyani Atoll and Raa Atoll.
During the meeting, President Solih said the government will allocate funds in next year's state budget to increase the salaries of WDC members in January. WDC members currently receive a salary of USD 194.
Speaking to PSM News, Policy Secretary at the President's Office Ahmed Hamdhaan said empowering women is a key priority of the government. As such, Hamdhaan said the government will increase the salary of the presidents of WDCs in the cities to USD 453, the salary of vice presidents to USD 421, and the salary of members to USD 389.
Additionally, Hamdhaan said the government will increase the salary of the presidents of WDCs in the islands to USD 389, the salary of vice presidents to USD 356, and the salary of members to USD 324.
The decentralisation act dictates that WDCs are responsible for advising the city and island councils on local development and services, upholding human rights, and increasing religious awareness. WDC is also tasked with increasing the involvement of women in social and economic issues, increasing women in higher education, as well as increasing the health and wellbeing of women and children.