Ahmed Azan, MP for Hithadhoo Central Constituency, has stressed the need to identify and address the root causes of youth involvement in gang-related crimes.
Speaking during today’s parliamentary session on the government-proposed bill to prevent gang crimes and other dangerous offenses, Azan stated that the bill reflects the government's commitment to establishing peace and steering youth away from criminal activities.
He emphasized that while legislation is important, efforts must also focus on why young people join gangs in the first place.
"No student in school dreams of becoming a gang member, but their environment and lack of opportunities push them into that path," Azan noted.
Highlighting employment challenges, he referenced international studies showing that youth are often drawn to gang activities when they see others gaining wealth quickly through illegal means.
Azan further pointed out that Addu City has the highest number of youth involved in such crimes, correlating with its limited economic and employment opportunities. He urged for a proactive approach, stating that simply imprisoning young offenders is not a long-term solution for a nation of just 400,000 people.
He called for genuine efforts to tackle the socio-economic factors that lead to gang recruitment, emphasizing that the focus should be on prevention and rehabilitation rather than imprisonment.