First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has stated that increasing the representation of women in the police service is not merely a matter of achieving gender equality, but also a significant advancement in efforts to maintain peace and public security.
The First Lady made these remarks at the inauguration of the third term of the Maldives Women in Policing Committee (MWPC) for 2026–2028.
Upon her arrival at Iskandharu Koshi this evening, the First Lady was accorded a Guard of Honour. She inaugurated the official logo of the MWPC, following which the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Mohamed, presented her with a symbolic commemorative token bearing the logo. The First Lady also presented commemorative plaques of appointment to the committee members.
In her subsequent address, the First Lady described the occasion as an important milestone in the history of the Maldives Police Service (MPS), marking a step towards further strengthening the role of women and reinforcing the vision for the future. She noted that this progress had been achieved through navigating and overcoming numerous challenges.
The First Lady highlighted that the increased presence and participation of female officers strengthens public trust and community cooperation, while significantly enhancing responses to delicate matters such as gender-based violence and domestic abuse. She further called for the implementation of sustainable policies that accommodate family responsibilities, in order to attract more women to the field and enable them to remain in service. She also urged that special priority be given to expanding the capacity of female officers in frontline operations, investigative work, and technical fields, rather than confining them to administrative roles.
While noting that the proportion of women working across various sectors in the Maldives, particularly in education and healthcare, is comparatively high, the First Lady observed that the number of women serving within the MPS remains relatively low. She called for broader reflection on this issue and urged both the MWPC and the MPS to prioritise the recruitment of more female officers.
The First Lady also reminded the audience that the MPS is the backbone of the nation’s safety and security, and that the role played by police officers in serving citizens, upholding the rule of law with integrity, and securing a safe and prosperous future for generations to come is a noble national service.
Reflecting on the committee’s previous term, the First Lady acknowledged its achievements and expressed her gratitude to its members. She made particular mention of awareness programmes aimed at helping women overcome the challenges they face, regional forums held across all atolls of the Maldives, and the initiatives undertaken to raise awareness on crime prevention.
The ceremony was also attended by Cabinet Ministers, senior Government officials, diplomats from foreign missions, and senior officers of the MPS.