The true happiness of families and society is tied to enhancing women’s capabilities and empowering them, First Lady Sajidha Mohamed said last night.

Speaking at the ceremony held to award certificates to women who graduated from the “Vilunutheri Kanbalun” (Resilient Women) programme, Sajidha said that women are a vital component of a nation’s social fabric and its nurturing foundation, and their participation must be present in every field of nation-building.

Noting that learning to overcome life’s challenges and move forward with courage is an essential skill for everyone, she said the direct benefits of this would extend to the nation both socially and economically.

The First Lady highlighted that Islam has established justice between women and men, and that throughout Islamic history, the role of women has been evident across many fields. She also noted that the wisdom and industriousness of Maldivian women have always been essential to the nation.

Run in partnership between the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and the Maldives Institute of Technology (MIT), the programme has so far graduated 175 women across eight batches. Its main aim is to shape women who do not depend on others, who have strong self-confidence, and who can advance in technical fields.

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