President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated that the amendments made to Decentralisation Act encouraged more women to be active in Politics.

He made the statement while speaking at the Rehendhi Awards function.

President Solih noted that the government had always aimed to promote gender equality in all areas, including the social and political arena.

As such, He highlighted his government’s amendments to the Decentralisation Act, which mandated one-third of each council to be female councilors, and the establishment of a Women's Development Committee with 5 members elected from each island.

The President noted the success of the endeavor, stating that 39.5 percent of elected councilors were female, allowing women to have a strong impact on decisions that affect their lives, livelihoods, and local communities.

Women are already playing the most significant role in national development, he said, as women make up some 78 percent of the education sector in the Maldives.

However, President Solih noted, the participation of women in national development and representation in all sectors has room for improvement. He acknowledged that there were still some barriers and difficulties hindering women from enjoying the same opportunities and benefits, not just in the Maldives, but worldwide as well.

He expressed his confidence that as more women are empowered to play major roles in society, the Maldives can move forward towards a fully impartial and unbiased nation with equal rights and participation from men and women.