Minister of Defence Mariya Ahmed Didi has stated that women play a huge role in maintaining global peace and security. She made the remarks while delivering the keynote address at the Commonwealth Women’s Forum’s Session on Women’s Engagement in Peace and Security in Kigali, Rwanda. It is the first time a Maldivian minister has addressed the Commonwealth Women’s Forum held on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
Speaking at the event, Minister Mariya said countries must work together on peace and security by building trust and friendships through defence partnerships forged with a shared vision for a rules-based international order which does not sideline women. The minister said no country can defend itself alone in today’s world where threats and security challenges are highly complex, volatile and hybrid. She noted the global community cannot relegate women to the margins of society if it is to address these challenges, as their homes, children, schools, communities and livelihoods are disproportionately affected.
Furthermore, Minister Mariya highlighted the decision of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to appoint a record number of women to public office including his cabinet. She noted President Solih’s confidence in breaking the glass ceiling and appointing a woman to lead the defence sector to tackle the country’s complex security concerns. She said women holding the reins paves way for the injection and percolation of perspectives and approaches which are both holistic and gender-sensitive, resulting in the spill-over of positive outcomes into the peace and security landscape. She concluded her address by saying that building trust and friendships through partnerships and maintaining peace and security requires patience, persuasion, prevention, passion and perseverance, and that women hold these qualities in abundance.