Maldivian Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi has departed to Cape Town, South Africa to attend the Africa Women Summit 2023.

She was seen off at the airport Tuesday night by Chief of Defense Force Major General Abdulla Shamaal, Vice Chief of Defense Force Brigadier General Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef, and Military Secretary to the Minister Brigadier General Abdul Matheen Ahmed.

The two-day summit begins at the Century City Conference Centre, Cape Town, on Wednesday.

The African Women Summit is an annual event that brings together women policy makers, change makers, global experts and professionals from all over Africa and beyond.

The two-day event provides a platform for African women to strategize and collaborate on shared values and concerns of African women, and create lasting solutions to critical issues of sustainable peace and development in Africa.

The event also provides an opportunity for women to engage, network, interact and build partnership with women across the continent.

Mariya is joined in her visit to Cape Town by the Defense Advisor to Sri Lanka, Colonel Hassan Amir, and Military Aide at the Minister’s Bureau, Warrant Office Grade II Abdulla Rasheed.

According to the Defense Ministry, Mariya’s visit to Cape Town is at the invitation of the summit’s organizers.

All expenses, except for the travel expenses of the two members of Mariya’s delegation are covered by the organizers, said the ministry.

Mariya is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech and take part in panel discussions at the summit.