The United Kingdom’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Seema Malhotra MP, paid a courtesy call on First Lady Sajidha Mohamed this morning at Mulee’aage, the Official Residence of the President.
During the meeting, the First Lady expressed her appreciation to the government of the United Kingdom for its generous assistance and the strong partnership it continues to extend to the Maldives, particularly in fostering economic growth. Minister Seema Malhotra conveyed her gratitude for the First Lady’s active engagement, support, and keen interest in areas of cooperation with the FCDO.
The discussions centred on women’s empowerment, women’s leadership in politics and the workforce, addressing gender-based violence, education, and climate resilience, with particular emphasis on the crucial role of women in advocacy. The First Lady shared her experience working in the civil service and her long-standing commitment to promoting children’s welfare. She also highlighted the Government’s policies and His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s initiatives to enhance women’s participation and leadership across various fields, including in Parliament and Local Councils.
Minister Seema Malhotra shared insights from her own work in advancing and empowering women across different sectors, underscoring the importance of equality in leadership and politics. She also discussed effective approaches to raising awareness and educating communities on gender-related issues.
Concluding the meeting, both the First Lady and the UK Minister emphasised the importance of continued collaboration and reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening the partnership between the Maldives and the United Kingdom.
