First Lady participates in high-level virtual panel discussion to mark World Health Day 2022

First Lady Fazna Ahmed has participated in the high-level virtual panel discussion held by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for South East Asia to mark the World Health Day 2022.

First Lady was the Chief Guest at the panel discussion named, "We, the people and our planet: Healthy, resilient, Sustainable". She was joined by several high-level speakers representing different countries and organizations.

At the panel, the First Lady highlighted on an important global survey of children and young people , in connection with climate problems, and noted that a significant majority of the young people surveyed, believed that rapid climate action might help mitigate some of the most catastrophic effects of the current situation. She said that, as an educator, she considered it valuable to listen to young people, their ideas, recommendations, and fears, as well as to validate their distress about issues that affected their lives.

First Lady Fazna added that the survey discovered a knowledge gap between different economic classes about what a climate crisis entailed, and she stated that schools were the best platforms to bridge this knowledge gap.

She stated that her time as a former Principal at Thaajudheen School allowed her to make many observations and taught her many things about children. As such, she believes that this experience gave her the belief that children and young people possess enough knowledge to articulate their opinions and frame their perspectives of the world, and to meaningfully contribute to the process of decision-making.

The First Lady noted that, while the study showed that young people were concerned about the climate crisis, they were also optimistic and wanted to contribute more to the cause of combatting the problems.

Moreover, she underscored the importance of giving children and young people a platform to express their views on issues such as gender equality, the environment, and climate action as, it is their future that would be affected by decisions that are being made today. She said that the ambition of the youth was far greater and that they were capable of becoming agents of great change, if given the opportunity.

In a message to policymakers, Madam Fazna stated that all research clearly indicated how much children were thinking about these global challenges, and that long-term planning and implementation were essential to ensure the future of all generations while reducing the burden on children. The First Lady also highlighted the fact that initiatives that began in Maldivian schools, such as the reduction of single-use plastic in schools, had moved beyond the classroom and into national policy.

Additionally, the First Lady also discussed ways to strengthen women's voices, their engagement and leadership at all levels of climate action and advocacy. She stated that discussions that take place with women at policy level, were more reflective of our society and led to more sustainable policy solutions.

The theme for World Health Day 2022 is ‘Our Planet, Our Health’. World Health Day is celebrated every year on 7 April to commemorate the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948.