Iruthisham Adam has bagged Distinguished Lifetime Achiever Award

Iruthisham Adam has bagged Distinguished Lifetime Achiever Award

• December 09, 2022

Dr. Iruthisham Adam (Iru) is renowned as a powerful leader and a role model for diplomats nationally and internationally with her impressive achievements in her diplomatic career and during her tenure as the Minister of Health and as the Minister of Youth and Sports. As the first female diplomat from the Republic of Maldives to train at the Oxford University Foreign Service Programme, Dr. Iruthisham Adam became a champion of empowered women, an influential diplomat, and a strong voice for small states. She advanced in her diplomatic career, serving in key posts in London, New York, and Geneva. 

Under the democratically elected government of the Maldives, in 2009, Dr. Iruthisham succeeded as the first female ambassador of the Maldives to the United Nations Offices in Geneva and the first female ambassador in Maldives history to ever be appointed to an UN organ. Dr. Iruthisham was also recognized by her country and in the international diplomatic community as an outstanding diplomat for her strong leadership, professionalism, talent, and hard-won achievements as the Vice Chairperson of Conferences on the International Convention Against Torture in 2010 and the Vice President of the Human Rights Council representing the Asian Group in 2013.

Diplomatic Highlights and Accomplishments

Dr. Iruthisham Adam (Iru)’s excellence in professional diplomacy and impressive skills from her contributions as a lead negotiator, career diplomat holding six ambassadorial posts, and strong leadership have been applauded by her small island country, the Maldives, and internationally. Her professional career of over 30 years serving under four governments is a testimony to her professional integrity, hard work, courage, strength, and noble dedication to her people and country. 

During her post as the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations based in Geneva (UNOG), she also served as the Ambassador to the World Trade Organization, Switzerland, and non-resident, and as the First Ambassador to Germany, Turkey, and Italy. She acted as President Nasheed’s government focal point and lead negotiator on climate change and human rights negotiations in the UNFCCC and UN to Copenhagen and beyond. She was a keynote speaker at the Transparency International Conference on Climate Change Finance and Accountability.

She achieved remarkable success in her journey through diverse fields, including foreign service, legal issues, gender, disability, and human rights, health promotion, and social issues. She led negotiations on the protection of human rights issues of importance to the Human Rights and Climate Change/Environment Program and the establishment of a trust fund for small states and LDCs. She contributed to the effective functioning of the UN HRC. played a lead role in the negotiations on the Economic and Political Empowerment of Women and the Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. As Ambassador to the WTO, she secured three years of benefits and extensions of assistance to Least Developed Countries (LDCs) on their graduation, i.e., the Maldives' graduation from LDC status on January 1, 2011. 

Ministerial Leadership and Achievements

Dr. Iruthisham Adam had established herself as a passionate and prominent advocate in the fields of active diplomacy, human rights, and climate change. Her natural talent for overseeing several responsibilities and experience on inter-disciplinary issues at multilateral organizations has been proven in her track record of public service. 

Under the newly elected government of President Yameen, in 2014, she served as the Deputy Minister of Law, Gender, and Human Rights. Using her international experience and knowledge, she contributed to the Maldives’ national treaty reporting on CEDAW, UPR, and disability to UN Conventions.

In May 2015, Dr. Iruthisham was appointed as the Minister of Health, one of only three female ministers in the Cabinet. She was active at the WHO regional consultations and the World Health Assembly in 2016. She chaired the WHO South East Asia Regional Ministerial Round Table on Health Workforce Reform in 2015 in Timor Leste, and her delegation’s efforts to secure a WHO regional meeting in the Maldives in 2017 received endorsement. 

Dr. Iruthisham’s strong leadership combined with her hard work transformed the health sector with progressive reforms to make the health system and service delivery accessible to the population. With her focus on accountable health service, the health system began initiatives for universal health coverage, the development of infrastructure for atoll hospitals, and the provision of specialist medical services. As achievements impacted the people's perception of and confidence in the health system under Dr. Iruthisham’s leadership, the Maldives received WHO certification as the first SEARO country to receive Malaria Free and Filaria Lymphatics Free Certification.

Her achievements include the establishment of medical councils under the new health legislation, the establishment of the first ever MRI service and center for cancer screening, and the upgrade of the dialysis center, X-ray, emergency, and intensive care facilities in the country. 

Despite the challenges faced in handling a mega ministry with a range of deeper systemic issues, she stayed unwavering and committed to her passionate resolve by dedicating her skills, time, and energy.

She implemented the Manifesto goal by ensuring 234 land ambulances are provided for service delivery to all the island health facilities and connecting the air and sea ambulance emergency services. In overhauling the health system for holistic and universal coverage, she guided the 166 infrastructure projects in hospital and health, established specialist services, and completed the groundwork negotiations for the new 25-story building of the IGMH hospital and upgrade of the diagnostic center.

In June 2016, Dr. Iruthisham was appointed as the Minister of Youth and Sports. She steered the large mandate entrusted with confidence. Implementing the government’s reform agenda in youth and sports, underlined as one of the key platforms for President Yameen’s re-election campaign, she brought innovative changes in partnership with national and international sports stakeholders. She ensured that more than 400 infrastructure projects on sports arenas (futsal, netball, basketball, and football grounds) were established so that each inhabited island population has a sports facility and new youth centers are accessible. She has empowered and mobilized the youth communities through youth leadership programs, major Youth Challenge Fairs hosted with job market opportunities and training.

Under Dr. Iruthisham’s leadership, he brought the stakeholders of the sports community together under one roof to exchange their concerns, promote greater collaboration on sports development through partnerships with sports associations and agencies, and implement the very first National Sports Act of the Maldives. 

Accomplishments and Awards:

• Master of Arts in Diplomatic Studies with Distinction, Diplomatic Academy of London, University of Westminster, London, 2001
• Villa Scholarship Award 
• The University of Westminster Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award, 2021, was awarded in recognition of her lifetime achievements. 
• Oxford University Postgraduate Certificate in Diplomatic Studies, 1999
• UK Foreign and Commonwealth Chevening Scholarship Award
• Bachelor of Arts in Management and Public Administration with Distinctions, University of the South Pacific, Fiji, 1996
• Commonwealth CFTC Scholarship Award
• London G.C.E. O Level, 1988, Distinction in Mathmatics Prize, Aminiya School 

Testimony by Dr. Iruthisham Adam

I am delighted and deeply honored to be recognized with the “Distinguished Lifetime Achiever Award” by Women Icon powered by the Times Women. I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the organizers for giving me this opportunity and recognizing my dedicated public service and many achievements. 

I extend special thanks to my family, my seniors, and my colleagues, who have encouraged and supported me throughout my career. I dedicate this award to my beloved Mom and Dad for their tireless efforts and confidence in me to achieve my dreams. I dedicate this award to my sisters and brothers for their trust and for always standing by me through the highs and lows of life. I dedicate this award to my family and friends for their continued support in helping me realize my goals. I hope my success story is an inspiration for all girls and women with dreams to shine in leadership and power, particularly the hardworking female diplomats around the globe. 

I have always believed in dedicated service to our people. When I began my journey as a junior foreign service officer and reached the post of Assistant Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I had big dreams to succeed as a female ambassador, trained and home-grown through the ranks of the foreign service. I wanted to give back what I had learned through my academic and professional experiences.

However, in a male-dominated top executives group in the Foreign Ministry culture at the time, the voices of few female diplomats were tested and challenged. I decided to follow my passion to excel in my field of diplomacy and gain knowledge on global issues. I wanted to set a strong example for all female diplomats in my country. I returned to London for further studies at the University of Westminster and graduated with a MA in Diplomatic Studies with distinction. It had a special impact on me. It enabled me to break the ceiling, gain recognition, and become competitive in my field. Expanding my capacity enabled me to stand up, have a strong voice, and be a role model for others.

Despite the challenges faced by gender imbalances in working environments and the struggle for equal opportunities, I believe women from all walks of life can use their skills to raise their voice and seek opportunities for excellence. Often, public service or diplomatic work can be taken for granted. However, giving up is not an option. Developing your knowledge and skills with faith and a positive mindset to do the best at what you do can be a life-changing experience. Today’s successful stories and women icon is inspirations for future generations of girls and women leaders.