Nominations open for Rehendhi Award 2027

The Health, Family and Welfare Ministry has opened nominations for the Rehendhi Award 2027. In an announcement made today, the ministry said nominations can be submitted from today until 2:00 pm on Thursday, December 10. The award aims to recognise, at a national level, the work of women in various fields of national service and the role women play in national development and the building of society. It also seeks to protect women's rights, empower and encourage women to come forward, and recognise the efforts of individuals, associations and organisations working to advance women. Nominations will be accepted under two main categories: individual women and associations or organisations, and committees working for the advancement of women. Under the individual and association category, nominations can be made under four areas: Leadership and Governance, Economic Empowerment, Social Empowerment, and non-traditional roles. Self-nominations as well as nominations by other parties will be accepted. Guidelines and application forms can be downloaded from the ministry's website, and will also be available from the ministry's counter at the Umar Zahir Office building in Hulhumalé and from Family and Children's Service Centres established in the atolls. Applications will be received via email and at the ministry counter from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on non-official holidays. The ministry has opened nominations for the award every year from 2014 to 2025, linked to International Women's Day. A total of 77 recipients have so far received the Rehendhi Award, including individual women, associations, committees and institutions. With changes made to the award categories and guidelines over the past 13 years, the ministry has decided that from this year the award will be presented once every two years.