President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that the government believes in equal opportunities for women across all sectors of the society. He made the statement in a video message released on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
In his message, the President said that the government believes in enhancing the role of women at top positions and their participation in decision making. In this regard, he said that the government had ratified its amendments to the decentralization act which paves way for broader participation from women in governance.
The monumental reform ensures the allocation of one third of local council seats to women. Speaking further, the President expressed his delight as these goals are now being realized with the upcoming local council elections proposed to be held on the 10th April 2021. President Solih said that the amendment will ensure the active participation of women in the governance of administrative divisions of the local councils.
President Solih stated that assisting women entrepreneurs to succeed by facilitating loans to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) run by women, is an important pledge by the administration. He added that the government also strives toward, securing adequate finances to support efforts to abolish discriminatory social norms and working towards the betterment of women are equally important.
President Solih said even if the role of women in society is celebrated, it must be acknowledged that there is still much to do in the sphere of ensuring gender equality, and assured that the government will continue to enhance its efforts towards increasing the participation of women within the civil service.
