Mariya Ahmed Didi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Her Excellency
Mariya Didi
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| މާރިޔާ ދީދީ | |
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| Minister of Defence of Maldives | |
| In office 17 November 2018 – 17 November 2023 |
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| President | Ibrahim Mohamed Solih |
| Preceded by | Adam Shareef |
| Succeeded by | Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 18, 1962 |
| Nationality | Maldivian |
| Political party | Maldivian Democratic Party |
| Children | 1 daughter, 2 sons |
Mariya Didi (born August 18, 1962) is a lawyer and politician from the Maldives. She made history by becoming the first woman to serve as the Minister of Defence for her country. This important role means she was in charge of the nation's security and military.
As Minister of Defence, Mariya Didi looked after 8 key organizations. These included the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), which is the military. She also oversaw groups dealing with terrorism, disasters, customs, and immigration. She started regular meetings with military leaders. This helped everyone share information and work together better.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Education and Awards
Mariya Didi studied law at the University of Aberystwyth in Wales, United Kingdom. She earned two law degrees there. She then became one of the first two Maldivian lawyers to qualify as a Barrister in England. A Barrister is a special type of lawyer who can argue cases in higher courts.
In 2007, she received a special honor. The US Secretary of State gave her the International Women of Courage Award. This award recognized her amazing work in supporting women's rights. Mariya Didi is married to Mr. Mohamed Amir. She has one daughter and two sons.
Political Journey
Mariya Didi was the first female lawyer in the Maldives. She was elected to the People's Majlis, which is like the country's parliament, four times. She helped write the 2008 Constitution.
She also became the Chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). This is the biggest political party in the Maldives. Under her leadership, the party won the 2008 presidential elections. This victory was very important. It ended 30 years of strict rule and helped bring democracy to the Maldives.
Fighting for Democracy
Mariya Didi played a big part in bringing democracy to the Maldives. In 2012, there was a difficult time for the country. Mariya Didi bravely stood up for what was right. She faced challenges while supporting the former president.
In the 2018 presidential elections, Mariya Didi was a key person in the campaign for President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. She was the spokesperson and led the campaign in Male’, the capital city. This was a challenging time because democratic activities were limited. Mariya Didi and her party worked hard. They won the election, which helped end a period of strict rule and brought more freedom to the country.
Key Contributions
Strengthening Defence Forces
When Mariya Didi became Minister of Defence, she worked to make the military stronger and more trusted. She wanted to make sure people had confidence in the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). She helped create new rules for the MNDF. She also started programs to improve their skills. She set up the first military justice system. This helped ensure fairness within the armed forces. She also made sure soldiers' concerns were heard.
Mariya Didi also made the defence sector more open to the public. Before her, military groups rarely talked to the news. This made people feel like things were secret. Mariya Didi changed this. She allowed the press to ask questions. This helped build trust between the military and the public.
She also worked closely with security advisors from India and Sri Lanka. They created a plan for security cooperation. This plan helps the three countries work together to keep the region safe. In 2021, Mariya Didi became the first minister from outside India to lead a "Passing Out Parade" at the Indian Naval Academy. This is a big event where new naval officers graduate.
Empowering Women in the Military
Mariya Didi is known for her efforts to ensure gender equality in the armed forces. For over 130 years, the MNDF's main advisory council had no female members. Mariya Didi changed this. She made sure that women could join the council. She appointed two female Lieutenant Colonels to the council for the first time. This was a huge step for women in the military.
She also made a rule that all MNDF committees must have at least one female soldier. In 2021, the MNDF appointed its first female Information Officer. Also, Lieutenant Firushana Thaufeeg became the first Maldivian woman to train at a famous military academy in the UK. She even won an award there!
Today, female soldiers in the Maldives are taking on many new roles. They are becoming Sergeant Majors, security officers, and even firefighters. This shows how much progress has been made for women in the military.
Role During COVID-19
Mariya Didi played a big part in the Maldives' fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. From early 2020, she led many important meetings. She helped set up facilities across the country to deal with the virus. Even with the challenges of the pandemic, she ensured that many MNDF soldiers received training.
See also
- List of first women lawyers and judges in Asia
