Maryse
What does life as a woman or girl look like in your part of the world?
As a Sri Lankan living in Sri Lanka, I’ve heard about what ladies should and shouldn’t do for my entire life. Nevertheless, I am proud to say that there have been girls/women in history and in the present who have shattered stereotypes and chased their goals and dreams, proving that girls/women can be as powerful strong and successful as out counter party boys/men, be it in the field of politics, professions, sports, businesses etc.
But in modern Sri Lanka, I must mention that males need to wake up because at the going rate we may soon see house-husbands and female workers!
What do you think is the most significant barrier to women empowerment and/or gender equality today
Gender inequality is big in Sri Lanka. Specifically, these inequalities affect many aspect of girls/women's lives. In Sri Lanka, I now witness a lot of girls/women empowering each other and it’s reaching great heights to flatten the general equality curve. It’s very important to keep in mind that with gender equality, it’s never a competition and it should never become that.
OK, tell us all about yourself. Who are YOU & what should the world know about you?
Growing up, I was a “tomboy”, playing with RC cars/trucks and playing cricket. I’ve never been a “follow the pack” type of person. My parents encouraged it. But everyone else shunned it. And sadly, that’s not a good quality where I’m from. But, it gets different with age. Not better. Just different. But being woman is not easy! I hold a double degree in the field of International Business & Management from USA and I also hold a MBA specializing in the of field Human Resource Management. I'm currently in creation of my next business venture that has been born from several years of self-discovery, failures, successes and is truly a culmination of everything I know and have experienced throughout this lifetime.
I am also a ardent lover of animals, a big foodie, I play a lot of sports, not your average fitness enthusiast, I’m an avid petrolhead and I love to travel. I strive for authenticity and vulnerability no matter the task at hand and I hope if another woman sees this then maybe it will inspire her to do the same. Never give up. I absolutely promise you, no matter what it is that you want or are trying to achieve, never give up, it can be yours, it will be yours. Never settle for anything that isn't your best, their best or the best, period.
Describe yourself in one word: "I am...” FIERCE!
What are you most passionate about and what are you doing with that passion?
Motorsport is my passion. Ever since I was a kid I have been into cars and racing. I am related to Sri Lanka’s oldest veteran racing driver, the Late Mr. Ananda De Alwis. I loved to tag along with dad for the races even as a kid. My racing career began with Karting, and I’ve taken part in several national races and endurances. I have also been a part of the First Ladies Team to run a 6hr Karting endurance race in Sri Lanka. My next exciting advancement in my racing career is to compete in international soil in extreme off roading (4x4) challenges.
What are some of the most notable events (milestones) that have happened in your life to date?
Winning my first ever National Karting Race. That was my 2nd day at the track + winning the Jungle Girl Award (strongest women of the race) at an Off Roading event in Malaysia.
What obstacles have you faced and overcome?
Racing is considered to be a male-dominated sport in Sri Lanka. Therefore, I didn’t have great support and encouragement from the public during my first year of racing. There were a lot of doubters, non-believers and also haters. I am proud of my self that I was able to prove them wrong and that was unexplainable joy.
What's your definition of success?
For me, it means to do whatever it is to be great in any given moment. To rise above all the negativity and to strive for excellence.
How have the women and girls around you helped you to get to where you are today?
I have no siblings. My mom has been nothing but very supportive and understanding from the very beginning. She’s always accommodated my passions wholeheartedly and pushed me to be my very best self In everything.
Complete this sentence: "To be a girl or woman today, is to be..."
To be a girl/women in today’s world is obviously not easy and it’s definitely not always easy being the odd woman/girl out, but you get to live day-to-day knowing that you’re not pretending to be someone or something that you’re not. This generation of women is the generation that is protesting the wrongs that have been and are being done to us. We are standing up for what we need and what we believe in.