Mariya Ahmed Didi
Mariya Ahmed Didi | |
|---|---|
| މާރިޔާ އަހުމަދު ދީދީ | |
Official portrait, 2018 | |
| Minister of Defence | |
| In office 17 November 2018 – 17 November 2023 | |
| President | Ibrahim Mohamed Solih |
| Preceded by | Adam Shareef |
| Succeeded by | Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon |
| Member of the People's Majlis | |
| In office 28 May 2009 – 17 November 2018 | |
| President | Abdulla Yameen |
| Preceded by | Constituency created |
| Succeeded by | Mohamed Rasheed |
| Constituency | North Mahchangoalhi |
| In office 2005 – 28 May 2009 | |
| President | Maumoon Abdul Gayoom |
| Constituency | Kaafu Atoll |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Party | Maldivian Democratic Party |
| Spouse |
Mohamed Amir (m. 1996) |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Aberystwyth University (LLB) (Hons) |
Mariya Ahmed Didi (Dhivehi: މާރިޔާ އަހުމަދު ދީދީ) is a Maldivian barrister and politician who served as the Minister of Defence of the Maldives. After being the campaign manager for president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during the 2018 elections, she was appointed the nation's first-ever female Minister of Defence.
Didi, in her capacity as Minister of Defence, oversaw a total of 8 critical institutions, namely Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Maldives Customs Service, Maldives Immigration, Aviation Security Command (AVSECOM), Anti-Trafficking in Persons (Anti-TIP), and Maldives Hydrographic Service.
Didi instituted the tradition of engaging regularly with the MNDF leadership and defence sector agencies through weekly plenary meetings and multi-agency sit-downs, where the latest information and updates are exchanged in cross-sector settings.