Maldives president calls for a greater role of girls in AI and digital development

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has called for girls to play a central role in the country’s digital future in a message marking International Girls in ICT Day.

Referring to this year’s theme, ‘AI for Development: Girls shaping the digital future’, Muizzu linked the occasion to the government’s wider technology priorities. He described AI as an important enabler for improving efficiency in governance, education, and healthcare.

Muizzu also stressed that the involvement of girls in AI development is necessary for social equity and for reducing gender bias in emerging technologies. The statement links that goal to the Maldives 2.0 Digital Transformation initiative, under which the government says it is working to remove systemic barriers and build a digital economy in which young women can participate as leaders and innovators in ICT, including in robotics, AI, and computer programming.

The message states that AI development must help bridge the gender digital divide so that girls move beyond being consumers of technology to becoming creators of it. Muizzu also called for international collaboration to ensure AI supports greater opportunities.

The statement adds that First Lady of the Maldives Sajidha Mohamed marked the occasion on X, encouraging young women to explore opportunities in technology and innovation and calling for more inclusive spaces in fields where they remain underrepresented.

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