In a compelling address at the National Juvenile Justice Conference 2025, First Lady Sajidha Mohamed called for a transformative shift in the Maldives’ approach to juvenile justice, advocating for early intervention and child protection over punitive measures.
— The President’s Office (@presidencymv) May 10, 2025
Highlighting systemic shortcomings, she recounted the troubling case of a 14-year-old boy arrested for murder after 191 prior interactions with authorities, and a 15-year-old girl prosecuted despite being a long-term victim of sexual abuse—later exonerated due to public and international pressure.
“These children were victims long before they became offenders,” she emphasized, urging schools, families, and justice institutions to recognize warning signs and act promptly.
The First Lady also pointed out the Maldives’ high incarceration rate compared to neighboring countries, despite lower levels of violent crime, suggesting that current policies may inadvertently perpetuate youth crime and intergenerational trauma.
Advocating for a collaborative approach, she stressed the importance of family involvement, particularly by fathers, and stronger coordination among institutions to prevent children from falling through the cracks and to hold abusers accountable.
Her call to action resonated with educators, legal professionals, and social service leaders present at the conference, who echoed the need for a justice system that protects, rehabilitates, and empowers children.
The National Juvenile Justice Conference 2025, held from May 10 to 12, brought together key stakeholders to discuss evidence-based reforms aimed at strengthening the juvenile justice system in the Maldives.
