A training programme entitled “Empowerment of Maldivian Women to Participate actively in Local Politics” was held in Bandos Island Resort from 19th December 2010 to 10th January 2011. The training programme was conducted by Democracy House in collaboration with Maldivian Democracy Network, Transparency Maldives and Maldivian Network on Violence against Women.

The training was targeted at training and empowering women candidates who ran for the first ever local council election that was held on 5th February 2011. A total of 96 women from 20 atolls were trained under the programme.  Candidates endorsed by political parties as well as independent candidates took part in the training. The programme was divided into 3 batches. An average of 30 participants were chosen for each batch. The first batch of training was conducted from 19th December 2010 to 21st December 2010. Second training was held from 28th December 2010-30th December 2010. The third and final batch of training was held from 8th January 2011 to 10th January 2011.

The training programme was conducted with assistance from Bandos Island Resort, Canadian International Development Agency(CIDA), United Nations Development Programme(UNDP and Human Rights Commission of the Maldives(HRCM).

A total of 57 women council members were elected throughout the country and 46% of the elected women council members were participants of the women empowerment training programme!