12 seats have been allocated for women in councils of three cities.

Elections Commissioner Ahmed Shareef revealed via Twitter on Saturday morning, that six seats have been allocated for women in the Malé City Council, four in southernmost Addu City and two in Fuvahmulah City.

This decision comes after the government’s decision to apportion 33 percent of council seats to women, as part of ensuring gender equality in the country.

People’s Majlis passed to bring amendments to the decentralization of administrative divisions on 5 December. The amendments state that two seats will be allocated for every council comprising of five councilors and three seats for women for councils comprising of seven councilors.

Speaker of Parliament and Former President Mohamed Nasheed stated that the implementation of the bill will ensure councils are empowered, women in particular.

The bill was submitted by MP for Hulhumalé constituency, Ali Niyaz and was passed with the vote of 76 parliamentarians.

The government had previously ensured that the decentralization of the government will lead to women empowerment and more roles for them to play in the society.