Debate on bridging gap in women's committees, councils
To resolve the issue, the amendment bill proposed by MP Rozaina Adam is currently under review by the Decentralisation Committee.
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By
Mariyam Umna Ismail
Ungoofaaru MP Mohamed Waheed and Thulhaadhoo MP Hisaan Hussain on Monday expressed opposing views over the repetitive by-elections that follow the resignation of members from the Women's Development Committee (WDC).
During a meeting of the Decentralisation Committee held with the Local Government Authority (LGA) on Monday to review the proposed amendments to the Decentralisation Act, there were some differences of opinion between the two members following MP Waheed's remarks regarding the women's committees.
Speaking at the committee, Waheed said that the purpose of having a women's committee formed under the act has not been achieved. He said:
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While there are female councillors directly elected to the council under quota, it is conflicting to have a women's committee separately.
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There is no rapport between female councillors and women’s committee members
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Costly by-elections have to be held
While these committees do not fulfil their purpose, he questioned whether the committees should continue as they are.
"I think it is more important to expand our efforts to empower these female posts already existing under quotas," Waheed said.
Waheed's proposal to change the women's committees:
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Include women councillors in the women's committee.
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By-elections to be held at atoll levels, and enable the Elections Commission (EC) to monitor the elections.
EC has previously issued the parliament regarding the high cost of holding frequent by-elections to elect members to women's committees. To resolve the issue, the amendment proposed by Addu Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam to the Decentralisation Act is currently under review by the Decentralisation Committee.
MP Rozaina’s bill states:
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Atoll councils empowered to hold by-elections
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Unless the quorum of the committees is lost, by-elections will be held once a year
Waheed did not make a direct call to dissolve women's committees, but Hisaan expressed her displeasure over Waheed's remarks. She said that the time to consider debating on the dissolution of WDCs will arrive once women have equal share in authority within island councils.
Noting that 33% of council seats have been allocated for women, Hisaan said that the quota was set that way so as to accommodate women at the policy-making level. She said that women's committees were established with the aim of empowering women, and that there would be no progress gained by abolishing any of such institutions.
"I would like to say for the record, that I do not wish to continue this conversation even; as a member of MDP and WDC," Hisaan said.
Waheed acquiesced and supported Hisaan's remarks later on. He reiterated that policies need to be changed to reduce gaps between councils and committees and to increase women's space in councils.
The issue of WDC not working with purpose is an issue always raised in the parliament. Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Eva Abdulla has submitted a resolution to the Parliament to assess the challenges faced by female councillors and committee members so that the issues underneath can be addressed.
Eva noted the following in her resolution:
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Not having the opportunity to participate in work
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Not having the opportunity to participate in discussions
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Being assigned domestic household chores such as cooking
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Only stood in line to welcome guests, and in some occasions not given the opportunity to stand beside their male counterparts
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Budgetary constraints
