Gov't to build rehabilitation centers for victims of domestic abuse

The government is to build rehabilitation centers for victims of domestic abuse.

This was announced by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during his presidential address, delivered during the inaugural sitting of the People’s Majlis on Thursday morning.

As such, the government reached the decision to build three rehabilitation centers for victims of domestic abuse; in Hulhumalé, Ungoofaaru island of Raa atoll and Hithadhoo island of Seenu atoll.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to continue to operationalize the Gender Equality Action Plan, the president stated that there is still so much work to be done to empower women politically and economically, even though the Global Gender Gap Index showed that Maldives reached new heights in reducing gender imbalances in the health and education sectors.

As such, he noted that protection, better services and a familial structure are required to be provided to children under state care and that the government is currently reviewing and improving the standard practices of state care for children.

Stressing that the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic has aggravated the existing drug issues, President Solih stated that the large and organized trade of drugs runs at the international level and noted that there are multiple challenges to curb the trade of drugs and close all doors leading to it.

In spite of challenges, the government remains committed to use all its resources to address the loopholes that support the drug trade and has created a task force for it. President Solih stated that hopefully the country will see positive changes soon, with the establishment of the task force.

Currently, the government is also working to construct a halfway house for drug addicts, also having begun developing human resources required and once completed, the initiatives will aid in easing the issues for homeless addicts.

The government is also running a remand center to treat addicts and those arrested in connection to crimes linked with drugs and narcotics, and has also started building new treatment centres in areas where drug abuse is most widespread, with which drug addicts can receive treatment on their islands under the supervision of the councils and health centres by April 2022.

President Solih during his third presidential address, delivered during 2021, stated that the government would inaugurate a modern drug treatment centre in Hulhumeedhoo island, which has since been completed.

The government is also currently in the final stage of preparations before making the the 60-person capacity centre, operational. A new rehabilitation program for prisoners will also be launched during this ongoing month.

Further, the president noted that Maldives Police Service (MPS) and the Maldives Customs Service had their “biggest” accomplishments against drug use and trafficking under his administration and that more than 1.3 tons of drugs with a street value of over MVR 1.2 billion were confiscated through 330 operations conducted throughout the incumbent administration’s rule.