The woman turning shark teeth into art – and saving a dying tradition
Aminath Shanaan Shah never planned to become a silversmith. Afraid of fire, she thought she’d signed up for a simple beading class. Instead, she found herself in a workshop of flames and molten metal.
Today, she’s Fuvahmulah’s only female silversmith, transforming naturally-shed shark teeth and sea glass into stunning jewelry. Her pieces have traveled as far as Hollywood – one ring was gifted to Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced Disney’s Moana.
But Shanu’s story is bigger than personal success. She’s reviving traditional Maldivian silverwork patterns passed down from her grandmother, keeping a dying art form alive in her own unique way.
“I want girls to see that they can step into these spaces too,” she says.
"We fall down, but we get back up": Maldivian girls rewrite surfing's gender rules
Four years ago, women couldn't even compete. Now, 8-year-old Aana is learning to surf alongside dozens of other Maldivian girls, thanks to Surf Her Story – a collective of female surfers creating space where none existed before.
"I made a lot of friends, and we liked it when we got to try the bigger waves. Actually, I don't like it, but I LOVE it!" beams 9-year-old Sedrah, dripping with seawater and pride.
For these mothers watching from the shore, phones ready, this is more than just their daughters catching waves. It's a quiet revolution.
Flying high with the Maldives skater girls
This International Women’s Day, Hyphen spotlights Sophia Nasif's powerful photography project about Volans Maldives, the all-female skate collective from the Maldivian island of Hulhumalé.
Saazu Saeed and Aishath Naj named the group after the astronomical constellation Piscis Volans (Flying Fish), to celebrate their gravity-defying tricks.
The grassroots collective helps women and girls carve out space for themselves in a traditionally male-dominated sport.
Beyond the 1,000 Rufiyaa note: the fight to protect Maldives' whale sharks
Over 10 days with Maldives Whale Research Programme in South Ari Atoll, photojournalist Sophia Nasif experienced the magic of swimming alongside the world’s largest fish – and learned about the vital conservation work protecting them.
Whale sharks are more than just the beautiful creatures gracing our 1,000 Rufiyaa notes. They’re endangered species facing threats from fishing, pollution, and habitat loss.
From photo-ID tracking to international collaboration on pollution research, discover how conservation efforts are safeguarding both whale sharks and the marine ecosystems we all depend on.