From Open Waters to Island Homes
The Maldives Women's Association (MWA) is a non-profit NGO that was founded in 2015 to empower women throughout the Maldives. MWA aims to achieve its mission by providing education, building creative economy skills, and implementing community-based initiatives across the scattered islands of this nation.
The Maldives is an archipelago nation consisting of 26 atolls with over 1,000 coral islands located in the Indian Ocean, where fishing is the mainstay of its economy. The sea plays an essential role in the Maldivian people's identity, and MWA recognizes the critical role of women in Maldivian fishing communities and their contributions to sustainable fisheries.
Traditionally, women have been the backbone of the industry, performing tasks such as cleaning, cooking, packing, and preserving fish. For generations they have been the ones responsible for holding down homes and communities, refining island culture and cuisine, while the men were out at sea.
However, with the modernization of the industry, many women in these communities have lost their jobs due to the decline in daily fish-processing tasks on local islands. MWA pays tribute to the women who have contributed to the success of this industry and is committed to empowering them in this era of technology and innovation.
Our Vision
MWA envisions a society where women have equal opportunities and are empowered to live a dignified life, free from abuse and deprivation of their human and constitutional rights.
Our Mission
MWA's mission is to create safe spaces that facilitate dialogue between women and key stakeholders in their communities, cultivating close relationships and fostering new friendships, support circles, professional mentoring, networking, and bonding over shared experiences and challenges. MWA believes that local and international NGOs, as well as businesses, can play a vital role in the context of the Maldives' unique island culture through innovation and inclusion.
Our Motto
Support Supportive Women.
MWA’s simple motto underpins the gentle philosophy we live by. Women are the soul of society. Behind the intellectuals, inventors, disruptors and all the greats, are those women who spend their lives performing the mundane labor of life, the “women’s work”, that make everything possible.
While we strive to clear the path up ahead for our sisters and daughters, the Maldives Women’s Association makes every effort not to leave our mothers and grandmothers behind, the women whose resilience, strength and consistency that make our individual journeys possible.
At the core of our mission is the unshakable dedication to supporting women across our islands through education, innovation and inclusive inter-generational partnerships.
MEET THE FOUNDERS
Maizan Ahmed Manik
A pioneer in broadcasting and communications in Maldives with over 48 years of service to the government, Mr. Ahmed’s contributions to arts and culture has been immense. Much loved and respected in the wider community he has long been held as a visionary in the Maldivian fisheries industry. Introducing the use of GPS systems and satellite phones in the early 90’s he was responsible for pushing traditional fisheries into the modern era. He conceptualized the Fishermen’s Community Centre, Young Fishers’ Club and guided the establishment of the Health and Recreation Club for Retired Fishers and Senior Citizens. He is also a founding member of the Maldives Fisherman’s Association. Ever the observant trailblazer, he recognized the consequences of the evolving fisheries industry on the families of traditional fisherman and in 2015 he co-founded the Maldives Women’s Association with Ms. Zulfa to help the women of these fishing families.
Zulfa Adam
Ms. Zulfa embarked on her career in telecommunications and marketing, later returning to her Maldivian roots after extensive years abroad in the UK and USA. Passionate about social work, she has crafted a robust portfolio with numerous NGOs and organizations in the Maldives over the last decade. Ms. Zulfa firmly believes in the power of every individual's voice and story. Her dedication lies in overcoming collective compassion fatigue to pave the way for innovative and sustainable solutions that uplift those facing unjust circumstances. She often volunteers her time and expertise to causes close to her heart such as persons with disabilities, human rights, and environmental issues. Of the many hats she wears, she most enjoys the hands-on role of project manager for MWA.