President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has attended a screening for the documentary film entitled ‘The Judge’ celebrating the journey of Kholoud al-Faqih, Palestine’s first female judge to be appointed to a Sharia court. The screening was held at an event, jointly organized by The Ministry of Arts and Heritage and Uthema, a non-governmental organization that advocates on behalf of the rights of women.
In addition to documenting Kholoud al-Faqih’s long and arduous struggle to become a judge serving in a Sharia court, the film also illuminates many of the challenges she faced as a human rights lawyer advocating on behalf of the rights of women, in defiance of deeply embedded gender norms. The film also shines a light on the cultural and social life of the Middle East, while highlighting some of Ms Kholoud al-Faqih’s personal struggles within that context.
Following the documentary’s screening, a panel discussion was held to discuss the rights of women in the Maldives and the need to provide them with the avenues to make similar strides and milestones.
Gender equality is a high priority of this administration and we will do our utmost to uphold this principle; further, we will strive to remove all obstacles that prevent women from reaching their full potential.