Rashida Yoosuf

Rashida Yoosuf is a Maldivian politician and diplomat.

Early life and education Yoosuf moved to Malé when she was 6 years old and studied in Madhrasathul Saniyya, till grade 10. She got a government scholarship to study in India for teacher training. She received an award by then–president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in 1989.

During her time as Minister, she attempted to open up discussion in the Maldives on the subject of domestic violence, but was unsuccessful. She also brought up to the Committee on Rights of the Child on how Maldives' resources on welfare and resources to the development of children were stretched.

In 2002, she was appointed High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka, becoming the first woman to reach such a high rank in the Maldivian diplomatic corps. She was the High Commissioner for 2 years. In 2008, she received an award from the Maldivian government for her work in the field of women's issues over the previous quarter-century.

In 2010, Yoosuf and Aneesa Ahmed founded "Hope for Women", a non-governmental organization that aims to eliminate violence against women.

Personal life Yoosuf married Lucas Onyango, a Kenyan national. After Lucas converted to Islam, he changed his name to Umar. Umar worked as a teacher in Aminiya School, before his death. Yoosuf and Umar had one child named Amani.