Maldives has highlighted the areas where it is important to increase women's participation. The remarks were made by Minister of Defense Mariya Ahmed Didi during the keynote speech delivered at the Africa Women Summit 2023 on women empowerment across the socio-political spectrum. The summit was held in Cape Town, South Africa.
In her keynote speech at the opening event of the summit, Minister Mariya highlighted the importance of social policy, education and training, and increasing development opportunities in various fields. She also called for the elimination of discrimination against women and establish equal opportunities.
The Africa Women's Summit is an annual event that brings together a thriving community of women policymakers, change makers, global experts, and professionals from all over Africa and the diaspora. The summit will provide a platform for African women to strategise and collaborate on shared values and concerns of African women, and create lasting solutions to critical issues of sustainable peace and development in Africa.
Furthermore, Minister Mariya also participated in a panel discussion on Women’s Inclusion and Political Participation and shared her views and experiences. The panel discussed the difficulties and issues faced by women in the political field and the law and the decisions that can be taken at the highest levels of the state to address them. She also noted the initiatives that political parties in the Maldives could take to include more women in the field.
During her visit, Minister Mariya was accompanied by Defense Advisor from the Maldives to Sri Lanka Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Amir, and Military Aid Warrant Officer 2 Abdulla Rasheed Ahmed.