Aishath RAFIYYA

Description

WUSME AMBASSADOR IN THE MALDIVES

The sheer diversity of Dr. Aishath Rafiyya’s career allows little room to give a brief description of her roles. In a small country, with limited opportunities and gender income inequality, few women reach the heights of achievement and are as publicly active as Rafiyya breaking the glass ceiling for women in the Maldives.

Dr. Aishath Rafiyya brings over 17 years of management and administrative experience in various capacities such as banking, diplomacy, Social activism, women empowerment, and business, tourism and NGO management. She is a well-known woman icon for her humanitarian & voluntary service of over 22 years receiving President’s National Youth Award in the category of volunteerism.

Rafiyya, currently holds multiple positions at various institutions in the Maldives and abroad. She is a Director at the Sun Siyam Group of Companies overseeing Chairman’s Office; Founding member & Deputy Leader of the political party Maldives Development Alliance (MDA). She was a former Non-Executive Director at the State Trading Organisation (STO) and an elected Member at Women Development Committee (WDC) of Male’ City Council.

Rafiyya is also the Founding President of the Regional Alliance for Fostering Youth (RAFY) – The first international NGO established in the Maldives and WORLD UNION OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (WUSME) Ambassadress in the Maldives. Other voluntary service includes mentoring for Queen’s Young Leaders -Leading the Change program of University of Cambridge UK 2016-2018, STEM Scholars & 1000 Girls, 1000 Futures at New York Academy of Sciences, Honorary President of the Royal Institute of Public Administrators of Royal Institution Singapore.
Rafiyya holds a doctorate degree in Politics & International relations and is specialized in multiple fields such as, Tourism, Business Administration & management, IT and Hairdressing & beauty therapy.

In recognition of her outstanding social work, Rafiyya has received more than 18 awards & accolades both national & international level including the President’s National Youth Award, Golden Globe Tigers Women’s Leadership Award & Stevie Silver Award.

She is an inspiration to younger generations and is seen as a role model for well balancing professional and personal life.