I am appalled and outraged by how victims continue to be treated in this country. The tragic case of Hawwa Yumna, who allegedly fell from the ninth floor of a building, has once again laid bare the systemic failures that plague our justice system and society at large.
I have seen this pattern of indignity and injustice for far too long. It breaks my heart – and infuriates me – to witness the same mistakes repeated over and over, with no real effort to change. Enough is enough.
A System That Humiliates Victims
The police’s actions in this case are unacceptable. Their decision to reveal humiliating and irrelevant details about Yumna’s alleged “inappropriate acts” is nothing short of a violation of her dignity. These details have no bearing on the circumstances of her fall and serve only to belittle her as a victim. Is this how we treat those who have suffered? By shaming and blaming them?
Where was the victim support? Where was the legal counsel to ensure her rights and dignity were protected? Such shocking lapses should not be tolerated in a system that claims to serve justice. Instead, we are left with a press conference that feels more like a public shaming than a pursuit of the truth. These are not the actions of a professional, victim-sensitive police force. They are a disgrace.
A Culture of Secrecy and Double Standards
Adding insult to injury, the police have refused to disclose the identity of the man who was with Yumna during the incident – despite alleging immoral conduct between the two. Why this double standard? Why is the victim’s personal life laid bare while the perpetrator remains protected? This lack of transparency is a betrayal of public trust and an affront to the principles of accountability and justice.
We have seen this attitude before. In December 2007, a young girl was sexually abused, molested, and humiliated when an MMS of her abuse was circulated. The authorities chose to blame the victim, claiming it happened because she ran away from home. Nearly two decades later, it is painfully clear that little has changed. The same excuses, the same failures, the same disregard for the dignity of victims.
We Must Demand Change
We cannot allow this cycle of humiliation, neglect, and injustice to continue. The Maldives has laws in place – the Domestic Violence Prevention Act, the Sexual Offences Act – that should protect victims and ensure perpetrators are held accountable. As a signatory to CEDAW, our country is bound to uphold the principles of gender equality and protect women from violence and exploitation. But laws and treaties mean nothing if those tasked with enforcing them fail to act with professionalism, empathy, and integrity.
It is time for action. I call on the Maldives Police Service and our justice system to:
- Adopt victim-sensitive protocols that prioritize dignity, confidentiality, and professional standards in all investigations.
- Ensure access to legal counsel and victim advocacy in every case, without exception.
- Hold perpetrators accountable and end the culture of secrecy that shields them from scrutiny.
- Launch public campaigns to challenge societal norms that perpetuate victim-blaming and gender-based violence.
A Call to the People
To my fellow demand justice and dignity for all victims. Speak out against injustice. Demand accountability from our leaders and institutions. Change will not come unless we, as a society, refuse to accept these injustices as the norm.
The time for patience and quiet endurance has passed. We have waited long enough for those in power to do the right thing. Now, it is our voices, our actions, and our unrelenting demand for justice that will drive the change we need. Enough is enough.
Smile and Let Smile 