Indonesian and Australian Women Celebrate Kartini Day

Four high-profile Indonesian and Australian women leaders will today mark Kartini Day at the Australian Embassy and debate the question, “Are Women Better Suited to Lead Generation Y?”

The accomplished panel of female leaders include Ligwina Poerwo-Hananto, a successful financial planner and Australian alumnus who was a full-time housewife with two young children when she started her business and radio show entitled ‘Financial Clinic’.

Ligwina will be joined by Leonie Lethbridge, who led the transformation of ANZ Bank’s operations across Indonesia as its Chief Operating Officer. Leonie rose quickly up the corporate ladder, while at the same time finishing a PhD and raising her children. Leonie will provide an interesting perspective on how she balanced an international career and family life.

Similarly, Amalia Fahmi, Director of Microsoft Indonesia, who is also an Australian alumnus, will bring to the discussion an Indonesian perspective on the ‘corporate ladder’ and how this differs in Australian culture.

The panel will be completed by Helen Brown who is Australia Network’s senior correspondent in Indonesia. She is an active supporter of a number woman’s issues and was a board member of the Foundation for Australian Agricultural Women and convenor of the Melbourne chapter of UNIFEM (UN fund for women).

A photographic exhibition showcasing Indonesian female leaders and women empowered through Australia’s development program will also be on display, highlighting the strength of individual women and Indonesian organisations working to empower women.

On 8 March 2011, to mark the centenary of International Women’s Day, Australia hosted the Advance Women's Leadership Summit in Sydney to highlight the achievements of remarkable women and introduce current and emerging female leaders from the Asia Pacific region, including from Indonesia.

Media Enquiries:
Ray Marcelo, Counsellor (Public Affairs) tel. (021) 2550 5290 mob. 0811 187 3175