First Lady Madam Sajida Mohamed has departed for Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to participate as Guest of Honour at the 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit. The high-level event is scheduled to take place from June 18 to 19, 2025.
During her visit, the First Lady will address delegates at both the Inauguration Session and the Committee Meeting of the Summit. Her remarks are expected to focus on critical social issues such as breaking societal stigmas around infertility, advancing girls’ education, promoting gender equality, and strengthening healthcare systems in areas facing a shortage of specialised professionals.
The Summit will convene First Ladies from across Africa and Asia, building on partnerships and initiatives launched during the 11th Edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, which was held in Tanzania last year. First Lady Sajida Mohamed also participated in that event, after which she was appointed a Merck Foundation More Than A Mother Ambassador—a title reflecting her commitment to destigmatising infertility and advocating for women’s health.
Since assuming the role, the First Lady has worked closely with the Merck Foundation to enhance medical training and capacity-building in key healthcare fields, particularly in infertility treatment and embryology. Her collaboration with the Foundation also includes public awareness campaigns aimed at addressing issues such as diabetes and hypertension—two growing health concerns in the Maldives.
The MFFLI Summit serves as a platform for First Ladies and key stakeholders to share experiences, assess ongoing programs, and reaffirm their joint commitment to empowering communities through education, healthcare, and social reform.
The First Lady’s participation in the Dubai summit underscores the Maldives’ ongoing efforts to collaborate with international partners in addressing both national and global health challenges, while promoting inclusive development and social change.
