Aishath Mohamed Didi returns to Maldives, takes over as Gender Minister

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on Sunday, appointed Aishath Mohamed Didi as the Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services.

Aishath had served as the Maldivian Ambassador to India prior to being nominated by President Solih to replace Shidhatha Shareef, who tendered her resignation on Thursday.

She was presented with her letter of appointment in a ceremony at the President’s Office on Sunday afternoon.

Aishath served in the Maldivian education sector from 1982 to 1998. She began her career in the education sector as a science teacher at Majeedhiya School, and went on to serve at the Educational Development Center, and the Institute for Teacher Education, after which she served as the Deputy Director of the Unit to Protect the Rights of Children, and a senior post at the UNICEF Maldives.

She had also served as the Gender Minister from 2005 to 2008, during former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s administration, after which she served as a consultant in education, children and women’s rights.

From September 2010 onwards, she served in top positions within Villa College, including the Executive Director (Academic).

Aishath has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Education.

She has experience in a wide range of projects run in Maldives in collaboration with international organizations such as the UN and UNICEF. She also served as member of the Executive Committee of Society for Health Education (SHE), a member of the Villa College Academic Center, a member of the Board of Maldives Qualification Authority, and a member of the Board of Narcotics Control.

In December 2018, Aishath had been appointed as the Maldivian Ambassador to India as President Solih’s first appointment to the head of a diplomatic mission, and as the first female Maldivian Ambassador to India.