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Women will be provided entrepreneurship opportunities: Gender Minister

Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services Sidhatha Shareef has stated the administration intends to empower women through economic participation by providing women entrepreneurs with better opportunities. The gender minister made the remarks speaking at the opening ceremony of Sustainable Growth of Women Entrepreneurs and Export Promotion 2019 (SWEEP 2019) organised by Madhya Pradesh Association of Women Entrepreneurs.

Minister Sidhatha stressed the administration is trying to increase participation of more women in the biggest two contributors to the Maldivian economy - Tourism and Fisheries. She further highlighted the role women already play in Maldives in formulating and implementing economic and business policy.

Highlighting the work the government is doing to increase women entrepreneurs, Minister Sidhatha explained the administration is working towards providing mobile banking and loans easily accessible to women living in atolls. She also highlighted that women shall be empowered through economic participation once the administration launches Gender Equality Policy and Gender Equality Action Plan. The policy will also allow men and women to work equally in economic activities.

Minister Sidhatha heading a 21-member women delegation at the two-day conference. During her trip to India, she also participated 10th annual conference of South Asia Women's Network.