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.

Culinary artist Aminath Hameed was gifted a massive block of chocolate, weighing five kilograms a few years back, she did not know what to do with it and thus started trying out recipes online, which she describes is the start of everything.

Aminath was never into the art of food as a child, however, “life took an unexpected turn” and she is now a successful, professional pastry chef at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.

“It’s amazing”, said an ecstatic Aminath, whose dreams took a drastic turn from wanting to be an accountant to standing at the 17th Seoul International Bakery Contest with an award in hand, her first win. The young pâtissier won several awards in desserts and the young chef category in Hotel Asia 2016 and 2017, she was also awarded first place in HILTON South-East Asia Food & Beverage Masters’ Challenge at Hotel Level and was the first runner up in country-level competing against seven other hotels from three different countries in 2017.

The Asian Pastry cup 2018’s “Most Promising Talent Award” winner said that she initially wanted to become an accountant.

“The first thing someone said to me when I said I want to pursue a career in culinary industry was “Its a job for men”. In an industry and field which is led by men it is a challenge for us women always. But I’m sure I have proven to many that it’s not a job for men.”

Aminath believes that “if you have the passion for it, you can do it!” and encourages young learners to “never let anything become a barrier between you and your dreams!”.

Proud owner of local clothing and accessories line Famushu Boutique, where I have purchased a few mesmerizing pieces myself, Angel was introduced to the world of fashion through her artistic figure-drawing master of a father.

With a Diploma in fashion designing, Angel was the first fashion blogger in the country and writes extensively about fashion and her creative designs. She started off blogging outfits, to designing uniforms for companies while completing her A’Levels, to designing beach-wear for Bandos Island Resort’s shop by Shezni Deen after which her mother suggested to open a boutique of her own.

The fashion expert stressed that it is a constant battle to work in a market where they are required to create on demand, especially when the brand she owned was a small Indie brand.

“The end result was thrilling!” said the stylist who has also provided her services to Nada Salon, who was completely satisfied with how she was able to exceed her expectations with the support from her family.

Apart from her own website, Angel also writes on fashion, having worked as the editor in chief for VIBE Maldives lifestyle magazine. The young entrepreneur is also the first ever fashion columnist at local news outlets Haveeru and Mihaaru News.

"I believe the strongest women are often the most humble as well."

Aminath Hishan – a rising make-up artist popular for her editorial style looks – was bullied.

One of her editorial makeup looks was mocked on a local “meme” page on Facebook. On one hand social media has been helpful for women and entrepreneurs in general to follow their passion from home but on the other, it is a breeding ground for people who like to knock others down from the safety and security of their internet anonymity.

A lot of these pages devoted to “internet comedy”, of sorts, have a tendency to signal the stereotypical beliefs held by the founder.

"Makeup is like an art for me, like painting. I love doing creative things and my Instagram is dedicated to showing my ideas for editorial makeup. It was really demotivating when I was bullied by a Maldivian meme page on Facebook for one of my makeup looks. I was especially worried for the model who took the brunt of the mean comments."