Resilience is the magic ingredient of lasting change if women are to make their mark in any field, says Minister of Defence and National Security Mariya Ahmed Didi.
The Maldivian defence minister made this statement in her address at the opening ceremony of the International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN)’s 9th Women, Peace and Security Forum being hosted in Bandos Maldives.
As such, noting that women have to understand that resilience is the magic ingredient of lasting change, if they are to make their mark in any field, the minister urged women to “not” give up.
Taking the podium at the event, the minister shed light on the significance of women not giving into their emotions under distress or pressure and exiting the change-making process.
She went on to express her gratitude to civil society leaders like the ICAN co-founder Sanam Anderlini, whose efforts and tireless work give women their rightful place in the peace and security debate by contributing to the accomplishment of milestones such as the UN Resolution 1325.
At the end of the day, we simply cannot and should not let our emotions come in the way of our mission. We must keep fighting this good fight for change if we are to reclaim power and restore peace. It is this commitment that is reflected in the landmark steps of appointing a record number of female Cabinet Ministers and Heads of Diplomatic Missions Abroad, reserving 33 percent of local council seats for women, empowering Women’s Development Committees in all inhabited islands and appointing two female Justices to the Supreme Court, among others."Mariya Didi, Maldives Defence Minister.
Reiterating the commitment of the incumbent administration to create a peaceful, safe, moderate, tolerant and gender-equal nation, the minister noted that Maldives has made significant progress in increasing the participation of women in the defence sector, including representation at the highest decision-making level within the defence force and all executive committees within the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) as well as an increased number of training opportunities for women personnel.
The four-day forum, being hosted by ICAN in partnership with Addu Women’s Association (AWA) Maldives, brings together women peacebuilders and policy practitioners from over 40 countries.
