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For Every Age

  • Safe Birth

     

    Ibrahim Ethan Rasheed is the family’s second child. His mother, Fathimath Ibrahim Didi resides in Male’, the capital of Maldives, where access to comprehensive maternal healthcare is readily available, in comparison to the past decades. Reflecting on her experience, she shares, “I consider myself fortunate to live in a place where I can access and receive specialized care and timely treatments which ensured a safe delivery for my baby. I believe that adequate postnatal care is equally important for both me and my child.” Investing in every age starts at childbirth.

     

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  • Adolescence

     

    Fathimath Yooly Hussain is about to turn 13. She nurtures a strong passion for sports, particularly basketball and volleyball, and actively engages in activities like swimming. Alongside her athletic pursuits, she is equally devoted to academics, with a keen interest in science. She dreams of becoming a scientist in the future. As she transitions from adolescence to adulthood, she faces crucial decisions regarding her sexual and reproductive health. Life Skills Based Reproductive Health Education plays a vital role in enabling young people to protect and advocate for their health, well-being, and dignity throughout their lives.

     

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  • Skill Development

     

    Shadhy Adeel shares her passion for jewelry making. Inspired by the brooches worn by her grandparents, she embarked on a journey of learning and honing her craft, starting on a small scale in 2016. Her current endeavor, ‘Anbalange’, is an authentic local jewelry brand, founded and comprised entirely of talented women. They not only aim to inspire young women to break gender barriers in the traditionally male dominated field of silversmithing, but also promotes their financial independence. Shadhy considers ‘Anbalange’ their “happy place – a space where they can be themselves, share positivity and support each other.” Investing in building skills, especially among young women, empowers them to achieve economic autonomy and create a more inclusive society.

     

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  • Gender Equality

     

    Nashima Ibrahim is one of the nine women bus drivers at Raajje Transport Link (RTL) - Maldives’ public transportation network as of June 2023. Fearlessly pursuing her ambitions, she remarks, “I never hesitate to pursue whatever I set my mind to. Some people question whether a woman can handle this, but why not? During my training, I was the only woman in my batch, which further motivated me. There is no field that should be limited by gender, and I encourage all women to explore diverse opportunities.” Effectively promoting gender equality requires recognizing that women are diverse in the roles they play, as well as in social status, ability, geographic location, education, and in age.

     

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  • Healthy Relationships

     

    Maisha Shareef and Ali Naif share a deep bond founded on respect, kindness, and joy. Laughter serves as their remedy during challenging times. Embracing their marital responsibilities, they divide household chores, honor each other’s time, and skillfully balances work and family life. As new parents, “our connection holds even greater significance, forming the foundation of a healthy relationship with our baby and strengthening our own bond.” They firmly believe that having a close partnership with your significant other is crucial for healthy families. It ensures effective communication, understanding and support, fostering an environment of love and growth for all family members.

     

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  • Planned Pregnancy

     

    Afeefa Ibrahim and Aboobakuru Mohamed embarked on their marital journey at a young age and now have two children. They reflect on their past and how they planned for and are excited to welcome their third child. “We’ve matured a lot since then and have greater access to reproductive health information and resources, and we’re in a better position financially.” They value having children early in their marriage without significant age gaps, and they dream of starting a family business, involving their children in the future. Empowering couples to plan their pregnancies allows women to complete their education, enhance their earning power and make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

     

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  • Financial Stability

     

    Wareesha Mohamed took a four-year break from her career after giving birth before resuming work. While most of her work is done from home, she attends meetings, events, and travels for her job. Wareesha acknowledges that her ability to pursue a career stems from having a supportive husband and her family’s involvement in raising their child. She emphasizes, “I love my job, and I believe in a woman’s financial independence to avoid depending on the husband being the sole breadwinner.” Despite the challenges of juggling work and motherhood, Wareesha cherishes her role as a working mother, embracing the joys and responsibilities with the unwavering support of her husband and family.

     

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  • Looking Back

     

    Aishath Moosa, now 64, reflects on life without a formal education. Married off at the tender age of 14, she went through a second marriage at 18 and faced a miscarriage at 19, which led to complications and multiple surgeries resulting in the removal of her ovaries. “Looking back, I wish I had the opportunity to enjoy my childhood and receive some form of education. I also wish we had access to better reproductive healthcare to avoid a childless life”. Her current marriage has lasted over 30 years, and she feels fortunate to have a loving and supportive husband who has been by her side. Together, they produce tamanu oil, a herbal oil they sell in markets spanning from H.Dh. Kulhudhuffushi, all the way down to Addu and Fuvahmulah. Despite the hardships she has faced, she remains active and dedicated to her well-being. She goes swimming every day to stay fit and maintain an active lifestyle, highlighting the importance of staying active even in old age. Her resilience and determination serve as an inspiration to others, demonstrating that it’s never too late to learn new skills and achieve financial prosperity.

     

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  • Ageing with Dignity

     

    Aneesa Ahmed, a life-long gender equality activist has dedicated her career to making a positive impact on the lives of women. Her work focuses on empowering women socially, economically, and politically. Even at the age of 73, she continues her research and advocacy efforts to bring about policy changes that promote the well-being of women and enhance their role in public life. She is not only passionate about gender equality, but also advocates for healthy ageing. “It’s absolutely necessary to always maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. It reduces the risks of chronic debilitating illnesses associated with ageing and maintains the quality of life and independence much longer as we age.”

     

    © Shaari

  • Circle of Life

     

    Nazeera Adam deeply values the presence of her parents, aged 70 (mother) and 81 (father), as she navigates the critical and transformative journey of raising her three children. Their support and help are indispensable, and she recognizes the importance of their involvement in her children’s lives, especially her baby’s. Nazeera realizes the significance of her parents’ well- being and is committed to ensuring their sustained health and happiness. The companionship and quality time parents share with their families not only brings them joy, but also contributes to their overall well-being, warding off feels of loneliness and enriching their lives in healthy ways.

    It is important to recognize that the right set of policies can equip individuals, families, and societies to address the challenges and embrace the benefits of population ageing. The empowerment of women plays a key role in this regard. When women are empowered, whole families benefit, creating a ripple effect that extends to future generations. By investing in every stage of their life - from childbirth to adolescence to adulthood, we can foster healthy and active ageing, benefiting not only women but entire countries.

     

    © Shaari