Dunya calls out on the ‘culture of skepticism’ in the Maldives over capabilities of women!

Former Foreign Minister Ms. Dunya Maumoon has voiced concern over the continuing culture of skepticism over capabilities of women – especially women in leadership positions – which she says continues to exist in the Maldives.

The remark comes after an audio of Transport Minister Ms. Aishath Nahula in which she is heard reprimanding ministry employees for neglect of official duties was leaked over the social media platforms this week, creating controversy. Some among the general public have criticized the transport minister for the way she communicated her displeasure, while others have voiced their support – believing she had every right to reprimand the employees under her charge.

Referring to the incident, Ms. Dunya told Sun that the Maldivian society continued to view women in leadership positions negatively and especially if they speak their minds.

She said that Minister Nahula was both courageous and capable and that her service to the nation deserved acknowledgment. Ms. Dunya pointed out the bias in public perception regarding female Cabinet ministers as opposed to their male counterparts, regardless of capability or performance.

މިނިސްޓާރ ނަހުލާއަކީ ކެރޭ، ކުޅަދާނަ ކަނބަލެއް. އެކަމަނާ ސަރުކާރަށް ކޮށްދެއްވަމުން ދާ ޙިދުމަތަށް އަޅުގަނޑު ތައުރީފު ކުރަން. ނަމަވެސް، އެކާމަނާ އަންހެނަކަށް ވީތީ އެކަމަނާ ގެ ޤާބިލިއްޔަތުކަމާއި މެދު ޟައްކު އުފެއްދުމަކީ ހިތާމަކުރަންޖެހޭ ކަމެއް.! https://t.co/uRYGmzZdMO

— Dunya Maumoon (@dunyamaumoon) October 1, 2019

Ms. Dunya who had resigned from her post as Foreign Minister in President Yameen’s cabinet noted that female Cabinet ministers who speak out are judged by different social standards. She said that women in general - who take initiative and are proactive in their fields of expertise are labeled ‘bossy’ and are criticized, whereas men who take the initiative are praised.

The former foreign minister stressed the need to work towards gender equality and equity. She called upon the government to hire more capable women to policy-level positions. She also noted with disappointment that the trend of appointing political activists with no experience is undermining the capacity of this Government and this has been the trend since 2008. Ms. Dunya has consistently advocated for setting a quota for women lawmakers, as well as reducing gender parity in the workplace and introducing child support. Dunya said that she remained committed to advocating for gender equality in politics

Ms. Dunya completed her Degree at Cambridge Univerisity and her Masters of Philosophy from the London School of Economics. She is currently undertaking the Global Masters of Arts program at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. She remains a commentator on issues related to Foreign Policy, Gender, and Democracy in the Maldives.