Mariya under fire for playing 'woman card' over pres security breach
Mariya's tweet triggered a flurry of criticism, saying it was not a situation where she could play the "feminine card" since she was the defence minister.
Defence minister Mariya Ahmed Didi has come under fire from the local twitter community for her comment on Wednesday following the security breach of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's motorcade on Monday, insinuating her post claimed that she was being criticised for being a woman.
In one of the serial protests being held by the opposition every night in Male, the protesters blocked the president’s motorcade when it passed through the protestors in front of the PPM office.
An emergency motion was also moved in parliament on Tuesday demanding the removal of Mariya, saying the president's motorcade's entry into an ongoing protest was not a coincidence. When the motion was dismissed by parliament, Mariya faced criticism from some sections of the government as well as the general public.
Responding to the criticism, Mariya tweeted, "If an operation in IGMH goes bad no one blames the health minister. If the police goof up, no one blames the Home Minister. But, even at an operational/tactical level, something happens at MNDF, Defence Minister, who happens to be a woman is to blame & it’s ‘Celebrate women’ Month!"
Mariya's tweet triggered a flurry of criticism, saying it was not a situation where she could play the "woman card" since she was the defence minister, and ultimately responsible for the President’s security.
"Man or woman, if not able to perform the job properly, at least take responsibility for it. What people say to [Health Minister Ahmed] Naseem and [Home Minister] Imran [Abdullah] is not any less," a woman wrote on Twitter.
Another on twitter commented on her thread, saying that if she is unable to perform her duties or take responsibility for the job she is in charge of, she should resign and stay at home. If not Maria, there will be people in this country who can be the defence minister, the commenter continued, and said that there was no need to try and get ‘sympathy’ by talking about gender.
Pointing out that being a woman is not a "pass" to escape from responsibility, another said that all ministers should be held accountable for what is happening in their respective ministries and sectors.
Another commented, "When the president’s security is compromised… it is the Defense Minister who has to answer! Your sex has nothing to do with it! … If you can’t handle your responsibilities… best stay home! In a functioning nation, you’d already be home for the security lapse!"
Naifaru MP Ahmed Shiyam, who was arrested from the scene and later released, described Mariya's tweet as a "great insult to Maldivian women".
"Maldivian women face their problems bravely. They don't run away like little sandpiper birds when it comes to being responsible," Shiyam said.
A number of MNDF officers, including Colonel Abdulla Ibrahim, Head of Presidential Guards unit that oversees president Solih's security have been suspended. MNDF said on Tuesday that a special committee has been formed to look into the matter.
