UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative to the Maldives, Shoko Noda on Wednesday night has revealed that unemployed women in the Maldives make up 39 percent of the country’s population.
She made this statement while officiating MAPS College’s 2016 Graduation Ceremony, which was held at the Rannabandeyri Hall in Dharubaaruge convention centre. The ceremony was attended by leaders of government companies, heads of the college, as well as students and parents.
In her speech, Noda said that the number of women achieving basic and higher education is increasing day by day, and that it is considered a huge development for the country.
However, she pointed out that the number of unemployed women more than doubles the number of unemployed men.
Referring to Gender Equality Bill which is pending in the Parliament, she said that the bill - if passed - would allow women to engage in diverse fields of work, hence widening their paths for more employment opportunities.
She also noted only that 64 out of the 1,090 councilors in the country are women, adding that efforts are underway to encourage and female participation ahead of the looming Local Council elections.
Concluding her speech, Noda advised the college’s graduates to seek a job or profession that they have a passion in, and added that they must always remain sincere to their work, regardless of what they do.
Addressing the ceremony, the college’s Deputy Rector said that MAPS College aims to become the region’s leading institution providing higher education in the business field.
Over 100 students have graduated from the field in 2016.