Athifa is an experienced Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) expert with over 18 years of professional experience in the development landscape of the Maldives. Currently, she works with ADB’s, South Asia Department, as a GESI consultant for the Maldives. She has provided technical assistance in designing, implementing, and monitoring Renewable Energy Projects in the Maldives. Before this, she worked as the head of policy and inclusive growth of UNDP Maldives where she led the formulation of flagship knowledge products and provided technical advice in national development planning and policy formulation. She has also contributed to research initiatives in the fields of GESI and sustainable human development and has led and co-authored publications in national and international journals. She holds an MSc in Organizational and Social Psychology from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), London, UK.