Dr. Aishath Rafiyya is an international peace and governance expert, political leader, former diplomat, and advocate for education, women and youth empowerment, and social impact. With more than two decades of experience across governance, diplomacy, peacebuilding, international development, and the public, private, and civil society sectors, she is committed to inclusive leadership and expanding opportunities for women and young people. She currently serves as Regional Head for MENA at the Global Peace Institute London, Founder and President of the Regional Alliance for Fostering Youth (RAFY), and Editor-in-Chief of Impact Legacy Magazine at IIDCG, Dubai. Previously, she served as Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’Affaires a.i. at the High Commission of Maldives in Bangladesh. She is also Vice President of the Maldives Development Alliance, having made history as the first woman elected Vice President of a political party in the Maldives and becoming the country’s longest-serving female political party Vice President.
Dr. Rafiyya’s international engagement includes mentoring young leaders through the Queen’s Young Leaders Programme and the New York Academy of Sciences. She is a Women in Conflict 1325 Fellow and a Raisina Young Fellow, reflecting her longstanding work in peacebuilding, international affairs, and women’s leadership. She holds a Doctorate in Politics and International Relations and is a Certified Corporate Director. A published researcher, her interests include governance, the digital economy, emerging technologies, and social development. Her contributions have earned more than 20 national and international honours, including the University of East London Alumni Advisory Board’s Change Maker Award, the Silver Stevie Award for Woman of the Year, the JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award, and the President’s National Youth Award. Her work is guided by the belief that lasting peace and development depend on inclusive governance and meaningful participation by women and young people in shaping their future.
