UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative to the Maldives, Shoko Noda has praised the new cabinet of Maldives assembled by the newly-elected President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Highlighting that women are “making a big leap” in the country, Shoko Noda noted that 32% of the new cabinet comprises of women. Pointing out that globally, only 10 countries have 30 - 35% of female Ministers in their cabinets, she stated that only six countries have thus far achieved gender parity in their cabinets.

“Looking forward to seeing more female MPs next year” wrote the UNDP Resident Representative.

While President Solih’s cabinet is comprised of 19 Ministers, six of them are females:

• Aminath Athifa as Minister of Housing and Urban Development
• Shidhatha Shareef as Minister of Gender, Family, and Social Services
• Yumna Maumoon as Minister of Arts, Culture, and Heritage
• Aishath Nahula as Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation
• Zaha Waheed as Minister of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture
• Aishath Ali as Minister of Education