Mirella Pandjaitan
Mar 06, 2026
Being a woman means to ooze a great and radiant mystery; loving and respecting feminine qualities, while maintaining to be powerful and ambitious in the face of adversity. This is just one of the millions of definitions revolving around womanhood. Even so, no single definition truly captures all women, especially when the answer may change from one day to the next.
Every year on 8th March, International Women's Day invites the world to pause and recognise the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and girls. It's a moment of celebration, as well as a reminder that progress is worth honouring, and remains worth pursuing.
The 2026 theme: Give to Gain
The International Women's Day 2026 theme of “Give to Gain” centres on a powerful idea that valuable progress begins with contribution. The message is elegantly simple: when individuals, organisations, and communities invest their energy, support, and influence for women and girls, aspiration naturally expands to action.
Giving may be grand gestures. Giving may also be as subtle as challenging a stereotype in conversation, questioning an outdated assumption, or celebrating a woman’s success without hesitation. Giving can even be sharing knowledge, projecting mentorship, or merely making space at the table.
These acts might seem small, yet collectively, they play a role in culture. They create a sphere where women are fostered not just to participate but to lead, innovate, and flourish.
Jakarta's women share their voices
What’s New Jakarta had a chance to speak to five leading female entrepreneurs advocating for collaboration in a myriad line of work. Below, they make their voices heard:
Asteria Elanda - Lecturer in Communications at LSPR, Biographical Author, and Writer
Asteria celebrates being a woman every day. Be it through her own life experience or through the stories of many other women, this former journalist and Head of Public Relations at MRA Media has witnessed a strength that's remarkably resilient.
Womanhood to Asteria means:
“Challenges are met with solutions, and even the most difficult circumstances eventually find clarity in the hands of women. The ability to navigate multiple roles with grace, combined with a deeply rooted nurturing instinct, is a distinctive advantage. This enables women to become thoughtful decision-makers, capable leaders, and pillars within their families.”
Asteria will give to gain a more equal world by:
“Aiming to shape how students think — to encourage them to find pathways toward becoming individuals who create impact. Because impact, in itself, is a measure of success. Providing positive contribution is perhaps the most accessible form. After all, “Give to Gain” is a fundamental philosophy for a lecturer. My responsibility extends beyond delivering theory or analysing contemporary case studies in communication.
“This theme is, in many ways, a simple path to becoming truly “rich” — not merely in material terms, but in meaning and vitality. It's a principle that feels both natural and proven, much like the law of sowing and reaping. What we give is in essence what we receive. Without contribution, there can be no return.
“It's also synonymous with taking pride in being someone — woman or man — who dares to speak up for equality, integrity, and what is right. In sharing knowledge, I find that my own understanding sharpens, and my energy is continually renewed. Practiced collectively and sustained over time, ‘Give to Gain’ has the power to make the world better, as well as more conscious and compassionate.”
Christina Tan - Luxury Travel Content Creator and Storyteller
Christina genuinely holds that a space for women to expand, not compete, is feasible. Consistency, credibility, and conviction paved her way to independently build her platform from the ground up. Without any external influences, today she’s based between Jakarta and the world as a trusted voice in luxury hospitality; collaborating with world-class hotels, global brands, and tourism boards.
Womanhood to Christina means:
“To embody both strength and grace. It’s intuition aligned with strategy, resilience expressed through elegance. I believe femininity is not something to tone down in order to succeed — it’s something to fully own.”
Christina will give to gain a more equal world by:
“Choosing to contribute amplification and belief. Because in my industry, visibility is influence — and influence is responsibility.
“I use my platform to inspire women to pursue the careers and dreams they truly desire, without limitation. I regularly spotlight women in hospitality who lead with excellence and integrity, ensuring their work and leadership are seen and valued.
“I also mentor emerging female creators navigating the business side of influence through sharing insights on negotiation, boundaries, positioning, and financial independence. The glamour is visible; the discipline behind it is not. I'm committed to making that knowledge accessible.
“Equality grows when ambition is normalised, when success is shared, and when women are empowered to lead in their own way. When we invest in one another, we don’t reduce opportunity. Matter of fact, we multiply it. That… is the power of giving.”
Natasya Michelle - CEO of Ann’s Bakehouse & Creamery
Natasya is incredibly proud to be a woman as she recognises the power women have to reach out with empathy, support others, and somehow stay steady even when everything’s falling apart. She cherishes this belief dearly as she navigates leadership from one decadent cake to another.
Womanhood to Natasya means:
“Knowing how to stand one's ground without losing kindness. Women are tough, but that never means shutting off their tenderness. Behind all of this, a natural femininity exists, which in no form equates to a weakness. It's the real source of strength. It molds the way we lead, the choices we make, and the difference we create. That’s where true leadership comes from. It’s all about balance.”
Natasya will give to gain a more equal world by:
“Focusing on my team by extending a fair opportunity. Growth comes from how you perform, who you are, and what you bring to the table, not who you know or how much someone likes you. If you work in production, you matter just as much as someone in sales. I believe real leaders come from within the team, so everyone can see there’s a way up.
“I'd also convey empowering leadership to them as I believe leadership should lift people up. Coaching means guiding and encouraging. You could be tough and kind at the same time. People should feel safe to articulate their thoughts, to stretch themselves, and to misstep sometimes—without worrying they’ll get shut down or punished.
“At the same time, my leadership would remain steady. When everything feels wild or uncertain, the team leans on leaders who don’t lose their heads, who listen before they react, who make decisions without letting ego get in the way, and who create space for others to step up.
“Meanwhile, my customers deserve access to real quality. Top-notch products and genuine service shouldn’t be just for the big spenders. If it’s good, then it’s good for all walks of life.
“Equal respect matters too. Regardless of being a huge company placing a massive order or a sole person buys a cake, that customer gets the same care and attention. More so, I would listen to them. Every customer has different needs, budgets, and expectations. I want to hear what's meaningful and figure out a way to align.”
Riana - Singer, Songwriter, Producer, Instructor, Entrepreneur, and Content Creator
Riana is the embodiment of doing it all when the world utters women to slow down. She gives credit to her motto of continuously grasping on to one principle: a woman must be empowered, and she must create.
Womanhood to Riana means:
“The ability to remain capable — to stay encouraged and to keep creating, in whatever form that may take. Hence, I believe we should never neglect our soft skills because they’re essential. Hard skills, while important, are often tied to a specific role or profession. And when that chapter closes, disorientation arises as you may find yourself wondering who you are without that title.
“But soft skills are different. They stay with you. They evolve with you. You can carry them through every season of life, at any age. They are what allow you to continue contributing, expressing, building, and growing. Ultimately, having soft skills ensures that you remain a woman who is not only present.”
Riana will give to gain a more equal world by:
“Having the greater drive to create and express myself freely. Now I feel an even stronger desire to take ownership — of my body, of my lifestyle, of how I choose to live.
“Loads of stigmas remain to be on the forefront, suggesting an expiration date when a woman gets older. That she shouldn’t aspire to do too much anymore. That she needs to “be aware of her age”. Add to that the commentary about changing bodies, shifting hormones, and all the other labels society so casually throws around.
“It's the complete opposite for me. I’m more mindful now. I actually have more time to pursue new knowledge, to seek out new certifications, to expand my horizons in ways I may not have prioritised before.
“So, these ideas that a woman is “too old”, that she must look a certain way, behave a certain way, fit neatly into an age-defined mold are narratives required to be dismantled. Because more often than not, they become internalised thus leading to self-sabotage.
“The truth is, we never know when our moment of rise will come. It might be in our twenties. It might be in our thirties. It could be in our forties — or even our sixties. There is no universal timeline. Personally, those outdated standards simply no longer belong in today’s world, especially not for women.”
Tissa Aunilla - Co-founder of Pipiltin Cocoa
Diverting law to the cacao industry cultivated a passion in sustainability, farmer livelihoods, and the potential of Indonesian cacao for Tissa. Her belief that when women invest in others, everyone grows together, which coincides with the Indonesian bean-to-bar chocolate under her belt.
Womanhood to Tissa means:
“The ability to nurture ideas, communities, and change. Women frequently bring empathy, resilience, and long-term thinking into leadership. In industries like agriculture and food, where many women contribute significantly but are mostly invisible, empowering women is not only about equality but also about strengthening the entire ecosystem.”
Tissa will give to gain a more equal world by:
“Sharing knowledge, providing opportunity, and allowing visibility. “Give to Gain” is very relatable to how the cacao industry works. Chocolate doesn’t start in factories—it starts with farmers. Many of them are smallholder farmers, and quite often the women in the family are profoundly involved in the work, from maintaining the farm to post-harvest processes.
“By working directly with farmers, we help them improve fermentation and bean quality so their cacao can be valued more fairly. When farmers understand the value of what they produce, they gain better income and stronger motivation to continue growing cacao.
“Not to forget is telling the story behind the chocolate. When people understand where their chocolate comes from and the people behind it, they begin to appreciate it differently. That awareness can create a more supportive and sustainable landscape for farmers.
“So, in our case, when we give farmers knowledge, access to markets, and recognition, we reap greater rewards: stronger farming communities, better chocolate, and a more sustainable future for the industry.”
Evolution ripples outward
The spirit of International Women’s Day traces back to the early 1900s, when women across industries worked long hours under difficult conditions for little pay. Their calls for fairness, dignity, and representation sparked a movement that continues to construct conversations around equality today.
More than a historic milestone, the day remains a collective gathering point — a chance to speak up, support change, and celebrate the women who quietly and boldly transform the spaces around them.
