First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed addressed a range of pressing social challenges during the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Committee Meeting held today.

She focused on issues such as cyberbullying of children, juvenile justice and delinquency, and food security, highlighting the specific challenges faced by the Maldives while also outlining the progress towards addressing them.

Currently attending the 7th edition of the MFFLI Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as Guest of Honour, the First Lady drew urgent attention to the growing threat of cyberbullying, particularly its impact on children. She outlined the serious psychological and emotional harm caused by online harassment, shaming, and manipulation.

Emphasising the importance of promoting digital citizenship, she highlighted ongoing national efforts to raise awareness and encourage responsible online behaviour. These initiatives, she noted, form part of a broader commitment to safeguarding the digital well-being of Maldivian youth.

Turning to juvenile justice and delinquency, the First Lady reaffirmed the Maldives’ rehabilitative approach, which prioritises education, reintegration, and second chances. She underscored the importance of addressing the root causes of delinquent behaviour and stressed the need for early intervention programmes to prevent escalation.

On food security, the First Lady discussed the particular vulnerabilities of small island developing states like the Maldives, which rely heavily on external supply chains. She reiterated the Government’s commitment to building a safe, nutritious, and sustainable food system, advocating for innovative agricultural solutions such as hydroponics to strengthen domestic production and reduce import dependency.

A notable highlight was the announcement of her new non-governmental organisation (NGO). The First Lady described this as a dedicated platform to scale up efforts in addressing social challenges across the country. She expressed sincere gratitude to the Merck Foundation for its continued collaboration in strengthening healthcare capacity in the Maldives, recognising it as a source of inspiration for her own work.