Women honored at Professional & Career Women Awards 2024

Over a dozen exceptional Maldivian women were honored at the ‘Professional and Career Women Awards 2024 – Maldives’ bestowed by Women in Management Maldives (WIM Maldives) in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Union (EU).

The sixth edition of the award recognized and celebrated women from a diverse range of professions such as banking and finance, hospitality, media, legal, logistics and supply chains, and entrepreneurship, amongst others, for their outstanding achievements and inspiring influence on their communities.

It also recognized Maldivian organizations that have played a pivotal role in promoting women’s business leadership and growth.

Over 50 nominations were received for the awards this year and they were reviewed purely based on merit. The judges panel was chaired by Development Banking Director at Bank of Maldives Fathimath Manike who was joined by President of SME Federation Maldives Abdul Latheef, Managing Director of PAMS Hydro Group, Sri Lanka Manoji Wadugodapitiya, Permanent Member of Maldives Scout and Guide Fellowship Mariyam Waheeda, Gender Specialist for South Asia at IFC Pramita Ray and Professor in the Department of Marketing Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka Dr. Ravi Dissanayake. 

Recipients of the awards include:

• Mariyam Maeesha, Director of Sales & Marketing at Highrise Group – Career Leadership in Sales and Marketing
• Aminath Ali, Campus Manager at Maldives National University, Kulhudhuffushi Campus and Vice President at Southern Community Empowerment Association of Maldives – Career Leadership in Management
• Safeenaz Hassan, Secretary General at National Disaster Management Authority – Career Leadership in Fashion Designing
• Fathimath Jabeen, General Manager, Human Resources at Maldives Transport and Contracting Company – Career Leadership in Human Resources
• Fathimath Haleem (Chompy), Ownr of Chompy’s Collection – Career Leadership in Fashion Designing
• Hawwa Haseena, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation – Career Leadership in Administration
• Asima Nizar, Sub-Editor at Mihaaru – Career Leadership in Media
• Dr. Fathimath Mufliha, Senior Consultant in Radiology at Male’ Group of Hospitals – Career Leadership in Medical Sector
• Fathimath Afiya, Managing Director at A-Focus Academy and Founder of Maldives Talent – Career Leadership in Mentoring and Coaching
• Fathimath Nathasha Latheef, Flights Operations Inspector at Maldives Civil Aviation Authority and Airline Transport Pilot License Holder, A320 rating – Career Leadership in Aviation
• Aminath Shaeera, Co-Founder at Achievia Consultancy – Career Leadership in Business Management
• Aishath Aala Abdul Hannan, Deputy Manager, Corporate Strategy and Business Development at Trans Maldivian Airways – Career Leadership in Business Development
• Aminath Reema Rasheed, Founder and Managing Director at Coencio LLP – Career Leadership in Auditing
• Mariyam Fiyaza, Co-Founder and Secretary General at Alzheimer’s Society of Maldives (ASM) – Woman with a Cause
• Fathimath Fezleen, Band Leader and Band Owner at Detune Bank – Arts and music
• Mariyam Faisan, Artisan and Master Weaver – Arts and Crafts
• Aishath Hussain Manik, President at Poet’s organizations – Arts and Literature
• Asma Hassan, General Secretary at Bicycle Association of Maldives – Leadership in Social Impact
• Aishath Seema, Owner at Aimi’s Pastry – Women Entrepreneur of the Year (Small)
• Fathimath Shirmeela, Sole Proprietor and Owner of Cuddle Day Scare – Women Entrepreneur of the Year (Medium)
• Shiyama Ahmed, Owner at TOPSY Training Centre – Inspirational Woman of Year – Entrepreneurship
• Fathimath Ibrahim, Paralympian – Sports Woman of the Year
• Aminath Zaady, Chief Operating Officer at Brennia Resort Management and Founder at Roufer, a-coliving brand Singapore – Glocal Woman of the Year
• Zahiyya Mohamed, President at AA. Ukulhas Women’s Development Committee – Woman of the Year
• Mariyam Thasannum Waheed, BA. Podcaster, Writer, Voice-over Artist, Editor-in-Chief at Woman by TalkM, Executive Board Member at Women & Democracy – Youth Leader of the Year
• Ahmed Anwar, Chairperson at Hope for Women – Male’ Champion of the Year
• Care Society – NGO of the Year
• Dhiraagu – Corporate Leadership in Diversity Inclusivity and Equity  

Speaking at the awards ceremony, WIM Maldives’ President Minha Faiz Rashad noted Maldivian women, even in a geographically dispersed country, are breaking barriers and leading their communities.

“This year’s awards, held in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation and the European Union, mark a significant step toward advancing gender equality and creating lasting change in the Maldives and beyond,” she added.

The award ceremony was graced by distinguished guests including Minister of Family and Social Development Aishath Shiham, Minister of Higher Education, Labor and Skills Development Mariyam Mariya alongside several other state ministers and deputy ministers in addition to diplomats.