First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, says that women must participate at every level and in every field of nation-building, and that programmes should be implemented to create greater opportunities for women to take part in such efforts.
The First Lady made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the “Viluntheri Kanbalun” programme.
First Lady Sajidha said women are an important part of a country’s social fabric and educational foundation. She described women as the heart, dignity, passion and spirit of nation-building, and said their role in building and developing a country forms the foundation of progress and the source of happiness within families and society.
Speaking about the “Viluntheri Kanbalun” programme, the First Lady said entrepreneurship is an important quality and skill that everyone should learn. She said teaching this skill to women would bring significant social and economic benefits to the country. Highlighting the objectives of the Viluntheri programme, First Lady said the programme had provided women with practical skills and knowledge, as well as critical thinking and practical abilities.
Reflecting on the history of the Maldives and the circumstances of other societies, First Lady Sajidha said Maldivian women have been particularly fortunate from a historical perspective. She noted that in some societies, women have faced discrimination because of religious and cultural practices, leaving them deprived of education, the opportunity to voice their opinions and participation in various forms of work. She also said that Maldivians are Muslims and that Islam has established equality between women and men. According to First Lady, Islamic history calls on women to strengthen the Ummah, contribute to a strong society, and become courageous, capable and morally upright members of the community.