President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Thursday met with members of the Women’s Development Committee of Malé City and inquired about their activities and plans. At the meeting held on Thursday morning at the President’s Office, the members briefed the President on challenges to developmental planning.
This is the President’s first meeting with the WDC of Malé City – the first members in Maldives’ history to be publicly elected to the role, a feat pioneered by his administration to empower local councils and increase women’s roles in governance through amendments to the Decentralisation Act. President Solih described the amendments as of crucial significance, allowing greater powers and prerogatives to local councils.
Briefing the President on their activities over the past six months, the members of the committee spoke about some of the challenges they face in this endeavour, including the lack of proper office facilities. Individual members also shared with the President concerns raised by their respective constituents, including issues related to housing, waste management, and other social issues faced by residents of Villimalé and Hulhumalé.
Speaking at the meeting, President Solih expressed delight over the committees’ achievements, especially in advancing the status of women in Malé City. He then briefed the members with the latest on the developmental plans for the city. He also assured the members that amicable solutions would be found to their concerns.
