MDP PG passes to submit no-confidence motion against gender minister

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s parliamentary group has decided to submit a no-confidence motion against Gender Minister Shidhatha Shareef.

MDP’s PG made the decision at a meeting held on Wednesday afternoon, shortly after a number of lawmakers called for her resignation at the sitting held earlier in the day.

All 45 MPs who took part in the meeting voted to removed the gender minister from the position.

While the main ruling party’s parliamentary group has made this decision, there have been an increase in sexual abuse cases recently especially against children.

Members of the public have also been calling for Shidhatha’s resignation, and a series of protests were held across the nation after a case of a toddler being raped by her grandfather and great-grandfather this January. One of the men had prior cases, but was not in custody “considering his age.”

A number of other child abuse cases have emerged since, almost at least one per day, which shows the ministry’s failure.

The latest case, where an emergency motion was submitted to Majlis on Wednesday, is that of Ahmed Hishan, or the gender ministry’s “honourary disability ambassador.”

While there are sexual abuse allegations against Hishan, the emergency motion submitted by South-Galolhu constituency MP Mickail Naseem highlights a 2018 case against him.

As such, it states that the Family Court had ruled against handing over a 19-year-old boy with disabilities to Hishan due to these allegations. The ruling was based on a report compiled by the gender ministry, as well as information provided by the police’s intelligence unit.

Hence, MP Mickail stressed that the accused was appointed as the “honourary disability ambassador” despite these allegations. He was re-appointed in December 2019. The ministry dismissed him on February 2, following a police investigation.

Despite the court ruling, the 19-year-old is to have been living with Hishan which the emergency motion highlighted is due to the gender ministry’s negligence.

Hishan, who earlier this year claimed to have received death threats but later refused to cooperate with the police, was taken into police custody on January 31 while attempting to flee the country.

A number of MPs called for the gender minister’s resignation during the debate for the emergency motion, with some assuring to move forward with a no-confidence motion if she fails to do so.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih also touched on the increase of sexual abuse cases against children during his address at this year’s inaugural parliament sitting on Monday, adding that this is due to systemic negligence.