The government prioritizes empowering and building a community of responsible youth, said President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Speaking at the inauguration of main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s “Youth Congress 2019” in capital city Malé’s suburban extension Hulhumalé on Saturday, Solih highlighted that the ruling party is led by youth and so the party understands their needs. In this regard, it will be in its best interest to pave way for opportunities in order to empower them.

As his policies are aligned to achieve the youth community’s aspirations, Solih said that these policies strive to pave way for them to attain education “with dignity”.

Stressing that a large percentage of the youth community is unemployed, which is a growing issue, Solih also said that youth need to seek employment and employers on the other hand need to make flexible adjustments to encourage women in employment, as the percentage of women in jobs is less than that of men.

Further, the President shed light on the pressing issue of housing in the country, the root cause of which he believes youth are driven into a life of crime.

These issues cannot be solved through prison time, but rather through a “rehabilitative process”, said Solih.

In addition, Solih said that detention centers, as well as prisons require to incorporate rehabilitative measures in order to tackle the issues.

The youth community needs to adhere to good values of democracy and remain steadfast in honesty and promoting justice and equality among the society, said Solih.