Mariya Ahmed Didi

Mariya Ahmed Didi
މާރިޔާ އަހުމަދު ދީދީ
Official portrait, 2018
Minister of Defence
In office
17 November 2018  17 November 2013
PresidentIbrahim Mohamed Solih
Preceded byAdam Shareef
Succeeded byMohamed Ghassan Maumoon
Member of the 18th People's Majlis
In office
28 May 2014  17 November 2018
PresidentAbdulla Yameen
Preceded byConstituency created
Succeeded byMohamed Rasheed
ConstituencyNorth Mahchangoalhi
Personal details
BornMachchangolhi, Malé, Maldives
Political partyMaldivian Democratic Party
SpouseMohamed Amir
Children1 daughter, 2 sons

Mariya Ahmed Didi (Dhivehi: މާރިޔާ އަހުމަދު ދީދީ) is a Maldivian barrister and politician who served as the Minister of Defense of the Maldives. After being the campaign manager for president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during the 2018 elections, she was appointed the nation's first-ever female Minister of Defence.

Mariya Didi, in her capacity as Minister of Defence, oversees a total of 8 critical institutions, namely Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Maldives Customs Service, Maldives Immigration, Aviation Security Command (AVSECOM), Anti-Trafficking in Persons (Anti-TIP), and Maldives Hydrographic Service.

Mariya Didi instituted the tradition of engaging regularly with the MNDF leadership and defence sector agencies through weekly plenary meetings and multi-agency sit-downs, where the latest information and updates are exchanged in cross-sector settings.