NGOs to train female candidates to compete in local council elections

A group of local NGOs will train female candidates in the hope of boosting the number of women competing in the local council elections, to be held in February 2011.

The training program is organised by Maldivian Network on Violence against Women, Transparency Maldives, Democracy House and Democracy Network, Haveeru reported, with the first round to be held at Bandos Island Resort from December 19-21.

“The candidates will be taught how to carry out a campaign and organise public speeches,” said Project Coordinator Nafia Abdulla. “We are focusing this round on the female candidates competing in the [local council] election. But the opportunity will be given for women involved in politics if we have open seats,” Haverru reported Nafia as saying.

Ninety women are expected to take part in the three round training programme.