Two women officers, Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Fathmath Thahseena Ibrahim and Lieutenant Colonel Hawwa Sheneen, have been appointed to the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) Advisory Council in a historical first for the country.

MNDF has revealed the credentials of the two officers appointed as the first ever women on the MNDF Advisory Council. Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Fathmath Thahseena Ibrahim serves as deputy to the commanding officer for Senahiya Military Hospital, and Lieutenant Colonel Hawwa Sheneen currently is the Chief Executive Officer for Sifainge Co-operative (SIFCO).

Article 14, subsection A of The Armed Forces Act of the Maldives (Law: 1/2008) states that an Advisory Council must be established within MNDF, to contribute to policy-making in relation to the administrative and operational functions of MNDF, in addition to presenting recommendations to the Minister of Defense and the Chief of Defense Force. Under law, The Chief of Defense Force at the time serves as chair to the MNDF Advisory Council.

The Armed Forces Act of the Maldives reserves the right of the Minister of Defense to appoint whoever they see fit to the MNDF Advisory Council from among the highest-ranking military officers of the country.