Actor and filmmaker Dian Sastrowardoyo has been making a positive impact on Indonesian women through her scholarship initiatives and free coding programs. Inspired by Indonesia’s national hero Raden Adjeng Kartini, she aims to empower women in rural areas to pursue higher education. Through her namesake scholarships, more than 30 women have been able to further their studies and enter various fields such as startup management and veterinary medicine. Dian also starred in Netflix’s popular show, Cigarette Girl, which explores the challenges faced by women in the clove tobacco industry in the 1960s.
Despite her successful acting career, Dian also holds a degree in philosophy and a master’s in management, focusing on the beauty industry from a socio-philosophical perspective. She is concerned about the impact of social media on beauty standards and toxic masculinity, especially on young people exposed to platforms like TikTok. Moving forward, Dian hopes to see more quality projects in Indonesia’s film and television industry and plans to produce films centered around the relationship between mothers and their children.
As a mother herself, Dian emphasizes the importance of guiding children through the conflicting views and trends present in society. She believes in the power of women storytellers and aims to encourage more women to take on leading roles in the film industry. With her dedication to empowering women through education and storytelling, Dian Sastrowardoyo continues to be a strong advocate for women’s rights and representation in Indonesia.
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