Ms Chattum opened the doors of Aromocare six months ago, but did not know at the time that it would lead to a struggle for her rights as a woman.

She had difficulties getting permits for her business because of her gender and faced societal pressures to conform to traditional expectations of a woman.

Now Ms Chattum hopes to use Spring Fair International to strengthen her business and secure greater independence for her and other women in Mauritius.

“There are women who can’t work full days outside of their home because their husbands won’t allow it, so I give them part-time work,” she said.

“I am very optimistic about helping women to be economically self-sufficient. I will always fight for that. I don’t want them to stay at home lacking things. I really want to take them out of their cocoons.”