Maldives gender minister resigns amid potential impeachment motion

Gender Minister Shidhatha Shareef has resigned, following a decision to submit an impeachment motion.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced Shidhatha’s resignation, via Twitter, saying that he received her resignation letter on Thursday and thanked her “for her service.”

The president has also decided to appoint Aishath Mohamed Didi to the post. Aishath is currently the Maldives’ High Commissioner to India.

Shidhatha’s resignation comes less than a day after the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s parliamentary group decided to submit a no-confidence motion against her. While an emergency meeting was held to discuss the matter on Wednesday, all 45 MPs who took part in the meeting voted to remove the gender minister.

A number of lawmakers, as well as members of the public, have been calling for Shidhatha’s resignation, claiming failure to fulfill responsibilities.

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 in the matter.

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.