President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has extended the term of Ms Niumath Shafeeg, of M. Maafusheege, as the Children’s Ombudsperson of the Maldives for a further five years, in accordance with Article 117 of Law No. 19/2019 (Child Rights Protection Act).
Ms Shafeeg was initially appointed to the post with the approval of the People’s Majlis on July 23, 2020. As her five-year term was due to expire on the 23rd of this month, the President submitted a letter to the People’s Majlis seeking to extend her tenure for an additional five years.
Ms Shafeeg’s term extension was approved unanimously by all 50 members who voted, following the presentation of the People’s Majlis Human Rights and Gender Committee report to the Majlis.
Ms Shafeeg holds an International Master’s in Early Childhood and a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood from the University of Southern Queensland, Australia.
The Office of the Children’s Ombudsperson is an independent institution mandated under the Child Rights Protection Act to promote, protect, and monitor the rights of children in the Maldives.