The First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has called upon women working in enforcement agencies to cultivate the courage to confront opposition, emphasising that their increased participation is crucial for building societal trust and ensuring widespread security.
She made these remarks at the opening ceremony of the Maldives Women in Policing Summit 2025, held at CROSSROADS Maldives - convened under the theme “Empowered Women: Safer Communities,” brought together multiple stakeholders to discuss the advancement of women in security professions.
Addressing the gathering, First Lady Sajidha extended her gratitude to the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology and the Maldives Police Service (MPS) for organising the specialised summit. She highlighted that such initiatives create vital opportunities for women within enforcement services, advocating for their participation to be viewed as an integral, acceptable norm rather than a mere specialty.
She challenged the perception of enforcement duty as solely uniform-centric, asserting that it encompasses individuals devoted to justice, courage, and seeking positive change.
"Women are also among such persons, and their participation in enforcement agencies should be increased to gain the trust of society. In fact, women's involvement in the security sector will make every citizen feel safe. Empowering women brings progress to society,” she said.
The First Lady further elaborated on the practical benefits of greater female representation, noting that it significantly enhances public confidence, particularly among women and children, in reporting incidents. This increased trust, she said, leads to a rise in cases filed, crucial for addressing complex modern challenges such as cybercrime, human trafficking, and extremism, which demand diverse perspectives for effective solutions.
Madam Sajidha urged participants to maximise the opportunities presented by the summit and welcomed the agreement signed between enforcement agencies aimed at the development and empowerment of women within these critical sectors.
The landmark three-day event designed to significantly enhance the role and leadership capabilities of women within the nation's police service and broader security sector. The summit, held at the picturesque Crossroads complex, underscores a concerted effort to recognize and advance the invaluable contributions of female officers.
The inaugural summit was officially launched by the First Lady, signalling the high-level commitment to gender equality in law enforcement. She was joined by the Minister of Homeland Security and Minister Ali Ihusan and Commissioner of Police Ismail Naveen at the opening ceremony, which saw the participation of over 50 delegates from various security and law enforcement agencies, as well as international partners and experts from five countries.
A core objective of the summit is to build upon the foundation laid by the "Women in Policing Committee," established on 17 September 2021. This committee was specifically created to acknowledge the integral role of women police officers and to champion their professional advancement.
During the ceremony, a crucial declaration was signed, aimed at strengthening leadership in security among the five principal agencies responsible for ensuring peace and security in the Maldives. Further highlighting the historical journey and achievements of female officers, Minister Ihusan launched the book, "Maldivian Women in Policing," which chronicles their service history. Adding another layer of recognition, the First Lady, unveiled a custom Challenge Coin, symbolising the dedicated and invaluable service of women police officers.
The summit brings together representatives from seven Maldivian security and law enforcement agencies, alongside 10 international partners, including UNODC, Interpol, UNICEF, and UNDP. Experts from India, Japan, China, the UK, and Australia are also sharing their experiences and insights. Participating Maldivian agencies include the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology, MPS, Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), Customs Service, Immigration, and Maldives Correctional Service.
Over the next three days, participants will engage in extensive discussions covering a wide array of topics. These include developing work skills for women officers across various enforcement agencies, addressing the unique challenges they face, and exploring practical solutions. Specialised sessions are slated for areas such as investigation, technical skills, and intelligence operations. A significant component will involve sharing and developing best practices and work experiences gleaned from developed countries and international agencies.
The Maldives has made considerable strides in expanding opportunities for women in its police service. In March of last year, three female police officers were promoted to the rank of SSP for the first time, marking a historic achievement. Currently, women constitute approximately 20 percent of the police service, with ongoing initiatives ensuring their advancement into diverse departments without discrimination.
The journey of women in the Maldivian armed and police forces began in March 1989, with 65 women soldiers initially joining the service, one of whom still continues to serve with distinction.