Without women holding the world together, society would crumble – that is the message this Ipswich mum from Egypt is teaching her two daughters.

“I’m happy to be a woman,” said Maha Elnahhas. “Being a woman is a valuable thing. We are doing an important job.

“International Women’s Day is not just a day – we need to appreciate women all the days of the year.”

Originally from Egypt, Maha, 32, was an interior designer and ran her own small business before starting her family. She arrived in Birmingham in April of 2018, having relocated with her husband who was pursuing his PhD.

When they arrived in the UK, the couple’s eldest child was eight months old, and Maha was pregnant with their second daughter.

Ipswich Star: Maha Elnahhas has two daughters, who she is raising in Ipswich. Image: NewsquestMaha Elnahhas has two daughters, who she is raising in Ipswich. Image: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

Having two infants under two in a new country was, Maha said, “quite an experience”.

“I got through a lot of challenges,” she said. “I was all by myself – no family, no friends.”

Maha balanced caring for her two young daughters with studying for an online course in organisation management techniques. She was also producing graphics and videos on a freelance basis.

Ipswich Star: Maha Elnahhas, right, pictured with her colleague at Suffolk Refugee Support, Rita Fadieieva. Image: NewsquestMaha Elnahhas, right, pictured with her colleague at Suffolk Refugee Support, Rita Fadieieva. Image: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

Initially, she found herself staying inside a lot, and was not always made to feel welcome as a Muslim woman.

However, Maha was determined to share the knowledge she had gathered over the years, and in 2020, began uploading videos to her YouTube channel.

These were tips for Arabic-speaking women, Maha explained – but the videos were not just about babies, but about mothers’ wellbeing, too.

The family arrived in Ipswich in October of 2022, and Maha began volunteering with Suffolk Refugee Support, based in St Matthew’s Street.

She now works as the organisation’s receptionist and administrator, and said she feels at home in the welcoming environment the organisation works to provide.

Maha’s daughters are now aged five and six, and say that when they grow up, they would like to be like their mother.

Maha is also involved in the Woman2Woman radio project run by Future Female Society, and will be taking part in the International Women's Day event at The Hold on March 9.