Bill on Ramadan allowance for WDCs sent to Committee with unanimous votes

Parliament, on Tuesday, unanimously accepted the bill proposing to amendments the Decentralization Act which seeks to introduce Ramadan allowance for members of Women’s Development Committees (WDCs).

The government-backed bill is sponsored by Central Mahchangolhi MP Ahmed Zameer.

The bill was accepted at Tuesday’s parliamentary sitting with the unanimous votes of 59 MPs in attendance and has subsequently been forwarded to the Decentralization Committee for review.

Before the bill had been submitted to the Parliament, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had announced plans to introduce Ramadan allowance for members of WDCs while speaking to the residents of ADh. Dhangethi during a visit to the island. The President stressed that WDCs had been treated extremely poorly prior to this.

As such, the bill to amend the Decentralization Act includes provisions to ensure members of WDCs are salaried individuals who receive Ramadan allowance and are eligible for financial schemes from various financial institutions. This is in line with the policies of President Muizzu.

In this regard, the amendment states members of WDCs should be disbursed MVR 3,000 as Ramadan allowance before the commencement of each Ramadan. The amendment also stipulates the responsibilities of the members of WDCs. They include:

• Providing counsel to the councils on matters related to the development of the city or the island and improving services provided by the council
• Increasing the participation of women in the political sector
• Providing counsel to councils on how the participation of women can be increased in various fields, management positions and businesses
• Providing counsel to councils on assistance required by women with respect to religious and social matters
• Providing counsel to councils on resources and arrangements established at the island or city to prevent domestic violence and workplace harassment
• Providing counsel to councils on conducting programs to increase awareness of women’s rights on island or city-level

The amendment also includes further provisions on the responsibilities of members of WDCs.