Former gender minister Shidhatha Shareef has announced her decision to join the newly formed political party Maldives National Party (MNP).

It was announced yesterday that Shidhatha, who served as the president of the Adhaalath Party's Foreign Relations Committee, has quit the party.

Shidhatha stated today in a statement that after looking at the political environment in the Maldives, she realized she needed to change the road she had been on in her political career up until now. As a result, she decided to join MNP in order to grow in her political career, which she considers being crucial.

Shidhatha's political career began with the Adhaalath party, where she has played a prominent role ever since. In her message, shidhatha thanked the adhaalath party's leadership and members for their support and for being the most important part of her political career.

It was Shidhatha's commitment to the Maldivian people that she would continue her political career with MNP for the welfare of the country and its people. 

Shidhatha held the position of Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Gender during the administrations of former President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik and former President Yameen Abdul Gayyoom.