President Dr Mohamed Waheed has today established the Ministry of Gender, Family and Human Rights, and appointed Ms. Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed as the Minister. Formerly, Ms. Dhiyana served as the youngest and only female Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. However, she resigned her post in protest of the illegal actions being taken by former President Nasheed in the weeks leading up to the former President's resignation.
The new Ministry was establsihed by President Waheed to "mainstream women and children's rights into the program development of every sector of the Government and to create programs that protect vulnerable groups in the country." Issues that will be addressed includes addresssing doemestic violence and other family issues as well as those such as addressing those who are mentally and phsyically challenged.
Being a 16 year vetran of UNICEF, President Waheed stressed the importance of highlighting these issues in government and effectively addressing the nation's social concerns.
