Maumoon shares concern on lack of female MPs

Former Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on Tuesday, has expressed concern over the lack of female MPs in the 20th parliament assembly.

Only three female MPs secured their seats at Sunday's parliamentary elections, following which many have shared their concerns.

The Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) founder said on X urged for stronger female representation in political positions, highlighting they share half of the country's population.

Maumoon stressed the lack of female representation was disheartening, in his response to Aishath Alaika Adnan, one of the female contenders at this year's parliamentary elections.

Alaika in her post noted only three out of the 22 cabinet positions went for females while just 3 MPs are females out of the 93 constituencies, noting the significant lack of female counterparts in senior political positions.

The three females to secure their parliamentary seats at the 20th parliamentary assembly are;

• Anara Naeem, pro-government MP of Huraa constituency
• Asma Rasheed, PNC parliamentary member of Central-Maafannu constituency
• Fathimath Saudha, pro-government MP of Nilandhoo constituency

Earlier, Addu Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam submitted an amendment to the Standing Order of the parliament to increase female MPs to 33% of the total seats.