Provisional results have shown that only three women candidates secured seats out of the 93 constituencies of the 20th People's Majlis.
A total of 368 candidates contested in Sunday's parliamentary election. Only 10.76 percent of the candidates were women. That is about 40 women.
The three women candidates who won seats in the 20th People's Majlis
- Fathimath Saudha from the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) for Faafu Nilandhoo constituency
- Asma Rasheed from the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) for Maafanu Medhu constituency
- Anara Naeem, an independent candidate, for Kaafu Huraa constituency
Saudha, who won the Nilandhoo seat, is a family member of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. Asma and Anara have previously served as MPs in the 18th People's Majlis.
There has always been concern about the lack of women's participation in politics. However, the proportion of women in the parliament is decreasing by each term.
There were five women MPs in the 17th People's Majlis, but the number of women MPs dropped to four in the 19th People's Majlis.
