Al-Sultana Khadeejah Sri Raadha Abaarana Mahaa Rehendhi or infamously known as Rehendhi Khadijah was the Queen of the Maldives from 1347 to 1380 running three terms. She is known for murdering her brother and two husbands to sustain her reign, rebelling against the accepted culture of dominating the male.

In a nation that was ruled by few queens, Rehendhi Khadijah stood out grandly. She stands as a cultural significance amongst the feminist movement in the Maldives, honouring women with the title of Rehendhi. Even though “Rehendhi” translates to “Queen” in Dhivehi language, the term is often in reference to Khadijah’s 33-year reign. She was the one out of five queens in power, who stood against being forced to abdicate for her husband. In a time where equality between men and women was shunned, Rehendhi Khadijah set fire to the torch, for a new journey for women of the Maldive islands.

In 1953, women were brought to the front line after being given the right to vote by then the first president Mohamed Ameen Didi. Generations passed, women are integrating into the man-dominated occupations and activities. From eating at “Manly Cafés”, driving taxis, fishing and other fields, every day we are experiencing the first and the following; a change in the male dominating culture of the society and the world.

All in all, it is no doubt that despite the horrendous act, Rehendhi Khadijah will be remembered as a monumental figure for standing up against the sexist stereotype, in a time when women had no voice and no place. It is no doubt, that she will be the first and she will be within every girl and every woman standing up for gender equality.