Accountable Governance
The Change-makers Aishath Yumna’s footsteps echo across the long hallway as she makes her way with nervous excitement to the gallery. Stepping through the imposing doors into the small room with her peers, they are enveloped by an air of solemnity and anticipation —a testament to the gravity of the decisions made within the hallowed walls down below. The sleek glass panels of the observation gallery offer a glimpse into the democratic spirit of the Maldives. They were peering right into the chamber of the People’s Majlis – the Maldivian Parliament, where a session was in progress. “Entering the Parliament, I felt a powerful mix of emotions, sensing its prestige after witnessing the significant work conducted there,”
Yumna takes in the scene below her with absolute wonder. It is a visual she has seen countless times on television. As the gavel echoes through the chamber, the People’s Majlis comes to life. The vibrant hum of discussion reverberates, punctuated by the occasional applause or dissenting buzz. Every gesture, every word, contributes to the symphony of democracy—a symphony conducted by the representatives chosen by the people.
Yumna relays.
“Entering the Parliament, I felt a powerful mix of emotions, sensing its prestige after witnessing the significant work conducted there,” Yumna relays. For Yumna and her peers, as participants of the Practice Parliament sessions, this is an
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Yumna in green (middle) at one of the Practice Parliament sessions