President’s wife Sajidha Mohamed said Wednesday that Women’s Development Committee (WDC) members should not be dismissed or seen as insignificant, noting that they are the ones who understand the needs and concerns of their constituencies most closely.
Speaking at the opening of the campaign office of ruling PNC candidate Ashiyath Alaika Adhnan for the Male' City WDC, Sajidha said women’s voices can only be reflected in policymaking when women themselves step forward to share their experiences and challenges. This, she said, is the core purpose of having WDCs.
“A lot of people say, what is this committee for, what does this place do. We should not think like this at all. It is women who can empower women,” she said.
Sajidha said women must first recognise the importance of supporting one another and valuing the role of the WDC. She described it as harmful when women undermine the committee or its members.
For this reason, she urged women to vote for the ruling PNC’s WDC candidates in the upcoming elections.
“When we always talk about empowering women, and when we form such committees, belittling women and underestimating their potential is very wrong. If so, then who will we empower?” she said.
Sajidha added that WDC members are the closest link to the people in their constituencies and are best positioned to understand their concerns.
“Therefore, I believe that women are the easiest people to take this information to the council,” she said, adding that WDCs should serve as a bridge between the government and the public.
The PNC is contesting the April 4 local council and WDC elections. The party currently has more than 74,000 registered members.