At the Maldives port, women are a rare presence in a workforce shaped by deeply patriarchal norms. Many had worked for years without truly being heard or finding space to share their realities. Through the Listening Circle, we brought them together—creating a safe, judgment-free space where they could speak openly and listen deeply. For some, it was the first time they voiced their challenges to peers who understood. For others, it was the first time they felt their experiences were not just acknowledged, but valued.

What followed was transformative. The women discovered strength in each other’s stories, finding validation, solidarity, and even mentors among themselves. They spoke of common struggles, shared strategies for navigating their world, and, in the process, built a bond that went beyond the workplace. By the end, they were no longer isolated individuals in a male-dominated environment—they were a connected, powerful network, carrying forward a collective voice that could not be ignored.