News Desk
First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has called Maldivian women exceptionally fortunate, pointing to the nation’s rich history and Islamic principles of equality as clear evidence that women have always stood at the core of national progress.
Speaking as chief guest at the graduation ceremony for the ‘Viluntheri Kanbalun‘ training initiative, the First Lady stressed that boosting women’s skills forms the primary foundation for nation-building while serving as the anchor for harmony within families and wider society.
Sajidha described women as an integral part of the nation’s social fabric, insisting their active involvement must be encouraged across every field and at every tier of governance. Programmes that open doors and create real pathways for women are vital to keeping that momentum going, she noted.
Reflecting on Islamic history, Sajidha reminded the audience that Islam established true justice between men and women long ago, offering clear historical examples of female leadership across various walks of life. She added that Islamic tradition calls on women to strengthen the Ummah, uphold social dignity, and lead through strong character, hard work, and technical capability.
Preserving these balanced cultural values while helping women build practical and intellectual resilience presents the country with a historic opportunity, she told the gathering.
During the event, the First Lady handed out certificates to over 170 graduates who completed eight batches of the hands-on initiative. She later joined the graduates for a commemorative group picture, as well as students from the Mohamed Qasim Preschool band following their performance.
The ‘Viluntheri Kanbalun‘ programme was run jointly by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and the Maldives Institute of Technology (MIT). The initiative aims to break gender barriers in technical trades, pushing women to build self-reliance, gain practical confidence, and skip depending on others for everyday tasks.
