Over 170 Women Gain Technical Skills Through Viluntheri Kanbalun Training Programme

First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has awarded certificates to over 170 women who successfully completed the 'Viluntheri Kanbalun' technical training programme, an initiative designed to break gender barriers in skilled trades. The programme, a joint venture between the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and the Maldives Institute of Technology (MIT), aims to empower women by providing them with practical technical skills. By fostering self-reliance and building confidence, the initiative encourages women to enter fields traditionally dominated by men. Over the course of three months, 264 participants were trained across eight different batches. The most recent curriculum focused on high-demand practical skills, including the repair of household electrical appliances and the maintenance of common motorcycle mechanical issues. Due to significant public interest, the programme has seen steady expansion since its inception in 2023. During the graduation ceremony, HDC Managing Director Ali Zuhair urged the graduates to transition from students to leaders, contributing their new expertise to the ongoing development of Hulhumalé. He emphasized that HDC is committed to increasing the frequency and scope of such vocational programmes to ensure the community continues to benefit from diversified skill sets. The partnership between HDC and MIT is set to evolve beyond this initiative. Under a formal agreement, the two organizations plan to introduce future skills-development programmes specifically tailored for young people and persons with disabilities, ensuring that vocational training remains inclusive and accessible to all segments of the population.