Women in Fuvahmulah NGO Launches Legal Aid, Mental Health Support Projects

In a statement released in conjunction with International Womens Day, Women in Fuvahmulah (WIF) announced the launch of two new projects for 2024, providing legal assistance and mental health support specially for women of the island’s community. 

They include the “Huvaa Balamaa Project” which seeks to raise awareness and provide legal and administrative assistance for social security support, while the “Dhelhahi Project” focuses on community mental health assessments and support.

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WIF’s statement also highlighted key points from the 2023 Report by UN Women, titled “Perspective: Progress on Sustainable Development Goals – The Gender Perspective.” The report underscores the imperative for increased investment and efforts to address gender disparities, particularly in the face of projections that reveal a potential rise in extreme poverty and food insecurity among women and girls by 2030.

While acknowledging some strides, the report highlights persisting issues such as intimate partner violence, low completion rates in girls’ education, and the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions. These findings underscore the necessity for sustained commitment to gender equality and the importance of gender-sensitive planning and budgeting.

Shifting the focus to the Maldives, WIF’s statement draws attention to disparities in the labour force participation rate, income levels, and representation in key sectors. Women in the informal sector face precarious working conditions with limited access to social security and guaranteed incomes.

In response to these challenges, WIF has taken proactive steps, unveiling two projects on International Women’s Day aimed at enhancing social security awareness and addressing mental health issues within the Fuvahmulah community. 

Celebrating past successes, WIF highlighted the achievements of the “Fisaari Kanbalun” project, providing dive scholarships to four young girls. The inauguration of WIF’s NGO office in Fuvahmulah also marks a significant milestone.

“The event was a celebration of investing in women and a call to action to have more women at policy decision making level & in politics,” said President of Women In Fuvahmulah, Aminath Shehenaz.