WOMEN’S DAY SERIES, Part One: a fitness enthusiast and expert

As we celebrate International Women's Day, despite everything going on in the world around them, women are thriving to forge more gender-balanced communities across the globe, every day.

TimesAREchanging and celebrating women is becoming considered more and more thrilling as women of all age groups are breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations.

RaajjeMV English’s Women’s Day series features eleven of the many,MANYwomen in the country that continue to prove their worth.

One of the most iconic figures for women in fitness as a marathon runner, Mariyam 'Maree' Waheeda has completed half marathons in four different events in Thailand, her first one of 21 kilometers being in Chiangmai of Thailand. She was encouraged by other runners and she describes the excitement of running as a big part of her life, “the joy helped me a great deal”, she said.

The runner, greatly encouraged by her family and friends as well as coaches at TFG, who in her words are “very committed to train us”, wishes to continue with social work and writing, for which she has overwhelming passion.

“My father died when I was a little girl. I ran a marathon in his memory. If he was alive he would be proud of me. I got a national award (hihvaru dhinumuge inaam) for social work and silver pen for journalism".

Nothing short of a female warrior, Maree wonders if there will ever be an end to the challenges women face in their journey to success. As the permanent secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs she faced many challenges. As a single mother -divorced- the writer found it tough to manage work and household responsibilities.

Albeit the downs, she never gave up “being good and doing good”. Maree has a message for younger women who wish to follow in her footsteps.

“To have faith and goals and do your best to get up each time you fall. I have had many falls but prayers lifts me up each time. May Allah guide me till death. That’s my prayer always!”

Maree joined the guide movement where she did a lot for the needy, she loves writing and has two pages on social media platform Facebook, one for her thoughts; Mariam Quotes and one for her poems; Mariam’s Poems.

Enforcing the belief that workouts should not be forced, but revolved around fun, Aminath 'Suza' Shuzana started her fitness journey with step aerobics and is now one of the most adored fitness instructors the country has seen. Having worked 10 years in the industry, Suza works at Heat Health and Fitness as a Zumba Instructor, Body Jam Instructor, Step Aerobics Instructor, Personal Trainer and is also a certified Rehab Trainer. She has a burning passion for dancing.

As a mother of two children, aged three and five respectively, she believes Zumba allows creativity and is known for her sizzling moves at class, where she has over 40 students, who refuse to skip class even with a fractured leg!

Although she faces no challenges in her work, Suza claims that society has high standards for her as an instructor.

"Women that come to my Zumba classes leave feeling empowered. Some have told me that it's their happy hour. It's wonderful to have a safe space for women to socialize and have fun. I've had clients miss class because they couldn't find a babysitter so I'm glad that I have the support of my family, otherwise it would be difficult for me as well to have such small children and go to work"