Reflections of Indonesian youth on working mothers

JAKARTA, Indonesia (ILO News) - In commemoration of National Women’s Day, Kartini Day, the ILO spoke with young people to hear their reflections on working mothers. Despite progress, many working mothers continue to face hesitation and a sense of guilt as they balance professional ambitions with family responsibilities. These conversations are part of the ILO’s Realizing Trade Gains Free from Gender Discrimination and Child Labour (RealGains) project, funded by the Government of Canada, which promotes equal rights and shared responsibilities for women.

A working mother is not something to justify, but something to celebrate.

Dede Sudono, National Project Coordinator of the ILO RealGains Project

A recent RealGains survey, conducted jointly with the Indonesia Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (IBCWE), found that caregiving and family responsibilities remain the main barriers preventing women from advancing in their careers. The findings underscore the ongoing need for family-friendly workplace policies and more transparent promotion systems to help close persistent gender gaps.

“Listening to young people and hearing how proudly they speak of their mothers reminds us that there is no place for guilt in women’s participation in the world of work. What children see is strength and inspiration. A working mother is not something to justify, but something to celebrate,” said Dede Sudono, National Project Coordinator of the ILO RealGains Project.

Kenisha Muthia Andjani: Growing up with example

© Ariel Prananda/ILO

© Ariel Prananda/ILO

At 19, Kenisha Muthia Andjani, who prefers to be called Kenny, does not have to look far for inspiration. She finds it at home, in her mother, an Executive Assistant to a Director at an international agency. She admires how her mother balances a demanding career with being present for her family. She also hopes to follow a similar path.

Working mothers are inspiring. My mother is my biggest inspiration. She taught me to be independent.

Despite her busy schedule, Kenny says her mother always makes time for her three children. “Every night, my mother asks us what we want for breakfast. Sometimes she takes us along on her official missions and she makes sure we spend a day on the weekend just being together,” said Kenny, who is currently pursuing a study majoring in global studies and social entrepreneurship.

For Kenny, those small but meaningful moments have left a lasting impression. “Working mothers are inspiring. My mother is my biggest inspiration. She taught me to be independent,” she said. “I want to be like her in the future building a career at an international agency.”

Raditya Abbydharma: Where equality feels natural

© Ariel Prananda/ILO

© Ariel Prananda/ILO

For 21-year-old university student Raditya Abbydharma, having a working mother feels entirely natural. His mother works as a programme officer at an international agency and he sees the same reality reflected in the lives of many of his friends – whose mothers work in offices or run their own businesses.

Women have the right to pursue the careers they choose. My mother has her activities outside the home, just as I have mine at university and with friends

To him, it comes down to equal opportunity. “Women have the right to pursue the careers they choose,” he said. “My mother has her activities outside the home, just as I have mine at university and with friends.”

That belief shapes how he views his own future as well. “The same goes for my future spouse. She should have the opportunity to build the career she wants,” he added.

Amiera Shifakinanthi: Learning strength and discipline

© Ariel Prananda/ILO

© Ariel Prananda/ILO

For Amiera Shifakinanthi, a 16-year-old high school student, her mother is a woman of many talents: an HR consultant, language teacher, translator and even a dance teacher and choreographer. But what stands out most is not the number of roles she holds, but how she manages them.

“My mother is empowering,” Amiera said. “Even though she is very busy, she is always present in my life – at my performances, school activities and important moments.”

As a mother, she is very attentive. But as a teacher, she is very disciplined. I really admire that and I want to be like her in my own way.

Her mother has also been a constant source of support, encouraging Amiera’s dream of studying environmental technology in Japan. She also admires how her mother balances different roles, especially when she becomes her dance teacher.

“As a mother, she is very attentive. But as a teacher, she is very disciplined,” she said. “I really admire that and I want to be like her in my own way.”

Fabian Prapriatna: A sincere gratitude

© ILO

© ILO

For 21-year-old university student Fabian Prapriatna, one word captures how he sees his mother: inspirational. His mother, an operations assistant at an international agency, has shown him that balancing work and family is not easy, but it is deeply meaningful.

“I really appreciate my mother and all working mothers. I am grateful for their struggle,” he said.

Everyone has equal rights and responsibilities. That’s why I will support my future spouse in pursuing her career.

Despite her busy schedule, she always makes time for him and his sibling – something Fabian does not take for granted. Her example has also shaped how he thinks about equality in relationships.

“Everyone has equal rights and responsibilities,” he said. “That’s why I will support my future spouse in pursuing her career.”