Minister of State for Gender, Family and Social Services Zifleena Hassan has stated that women play a large role in the efforts to combat COVID-19 in the Maldives. She made the remarks while speaking at a virtual meeting held by the Commonwealth Women's Affairs Ministers Action Group.
Speaking at the meeting, State Minister Zifleena said female workers play a large role in the government’s efforts against COVID-19 at the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) and Health Protection Agency (HPA) and that a large number of women are on the front lines to provide medical treatment. She highlighted that women in the Maldives were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic similar to other countries and that women as they become more vulnerable due to economic recessions and that women struggle to find employment and gain income during the pandemic.
Ths state minister said the government has provided assistance to women by allowing them to more easily obtain income support allowance.