Indonesian women living in Qatar attended an event organised by the Embassy of Indonesia as part of a programme organised to celebrate the Indonesian Mother's Day, which falls on December 22 and the 88th anniversary of the establishment of the Indonesian Civil Service Wives Association (Dharma Wanita Persatuan / DWP) on December 7.
Consistent with the wisdom of the First President of Indonesia, Soekarno, November 28 event sought to celebrate the spirit of Indonesian women as well as their fight to improve the condition of the nation. The celebrations were on the theme "Indonesian Women, Building the Nation".
Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar Muhammad Basri Sidehabi applauded and acknowledged the crucial role played by women in continuously improving their society, the nation, as well as the world.
Nowadays, Indonesian women are not confined to a subordinate domestic role and many have risen to the occasion to face the challenges ahead, Sidehabi said, and encouraged all Indonesian women and mothers to be active and productive in improving their intellectual, spiritual, and emotional capacity.
With the aim of empowering Indonesian women in Qatar, the Indonesian embassy arranged for Anniesa Hasibuan to share her life story. The informal discussion was hosted by the DWP's Noni Anwar, a writer and former news anchor living in Doha.
Anniesa Hasibuan is a well-known entrepreneur and fashion designer of Indonesia. She took the fashion world by storm when she was invited as the first hijab designer to New York Fashion Week 2016. The prominent designer's decision to feature every model on her runway wearing a hijab has given new air to the modest fashion movement.
Andi Una Sidehabi, chairperson of DWP, said that Anniesa's story was an inspiration to all women. "Her rise to fame was not achieved overnight and it requires a lot of effort and perseverance," she said.
Sidehabi highlighted the fact that Anniesa gained success without neglecting her duties as a wife and mother.
