First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has called for increased participation of women across all areas of policing, with particular emphasis on frontline operations and investigations.

She made the remarks while speaking at the inauguration of the Maldives Women in Policing Committee for the 2026–2028 term, highlighting the need to move beyond traditional perceptions of policing as a male-dominated profession.

The First Lady said strengthening women’s representation in the police service is not only a matter of gender equality, but also essential for building public trust and improving responses to sensitive issues such as sexual abuse and domestic violence. She noted that women officers bring valuable communication skills that contribute to maintaining public safety and social harmony.

She further stressed the importance of creating sustainable pathways for women to enter and remain in the police force, including expanding their roles beyond administrative positions to frontline, investigative and technical fields. She also called for stronger mentorship systems, greater inclusion of women in decision-making bodies, and targeted efforts to increase female recruitment.

Highlighting that women make up a significant share of the workforce in sectors such as education and healthcare, the First Lady said their representation in policing remains comparatively low and requires focused attention. She added that a strong and inclusive police service is central to ensuring peace, stability and the rule of law, which underpin the country’s social and economic development.