Foreign Secretary of Maldives Ahmed Latheef has urged for enhanced efforts to address challenges hindering women’s progress and empowerment.

The foreign secretary delivered remarks during the International Conference on Women in Islam, being held from November 6 – 8 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Foreign Secretary Latheef addressed the common misconceptions about Islam and women during his remarks.

Highlighting that Islam elevates the status of women and advocates for women’s empowerment, Foreign Secretary Latheef noted that the religion also assures the respect women deserve.

Foreign Secretary Latheef also briefed the meeting on the advancements the Maldives has made in advancing women’s rights, including through necessary legal reforms.

Further, he shed light on the success of initiatives launched by the government in a bid to ensure women have equal access to education, the initiatives to fight domestic violence against women and strengthen family relations.

The foreign secretary went on to list the active engagement as well as the leading role Maldives plays in the OIC Women Development Organization (WDO) to be another achievement.

In conclusion, Foreign Secretary Latheef urged for better efforts to address challenges including structural inequalities and sociocultural barriers that hinder the progress and empowerment of women.

Minister of State for Gender, Family and Social Services Zifleen Hassan, Permanent Representative of Maldives to the OIC and Ambassador of Maldives to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohamed Khaleel and Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mariyam Reesha are accompanying the foreign secretary.