The BBC has announced a list of 100 women in 2016 whom are perceived as inspirational and influential. Among the names are Indonesian singer and activist Kartika "Tika" Jahja and Instagram star Dwi Handa. Alongside other renowned figures on the list, their stories will be published in three weeks’ time.
“Inequality is like pollution,” said Tika on the BBC website. “We don’t realize we inhale it every day, but it enters our body.” Tika is known for addressing gender equality through her music.
Her statement on gender equality can be seen in her album Merah (Red) released last March. The music video for one of the tracks, "Tubuhku, Otoritasku" (My Body, My Authority), reportedly aimed to be a reminder of anti-LGBT sentiment and “larger spectrum of gender equality outside of women’s rights”. “’Tubuhku, Otoritasku’ speaks about a woman reclaiming full authority of her body,” she told The Jakarta Post. “Women’s bodies go through so much scrutiny, judgment, policing, objectification and all kinds of violence.”
Thank you @BBC. It's an honor to be named in "BBC 100 Women". Keep loving, keep fighting. https://t.co/MwWufcpaf2 #bbc100women pic.twitter.com/tLkRGyyjdH
— kartika jahja (@kartikajahja) 22 November 2016
Meanwhile, Dwi told BBC, “We need to be able to express who we are and be able to look at ourselves in the mirror and see something that’s interesting and alive.”
As an Islamic fashion enthusiast, Dwi often shares her outfits on her Instagram account and blog. She has also published Hijabi fashion tutorial on her YouTube account. Together with her friends from Hipster Hijabis group, she is often seen on the front row of fashion shows and wearing the latest outfits.
The annual BBC 100 Women 2016 selects inspiring and significant women from various domains, such as health, sport, arts, human rights, religion, business, journalism, science and technology, and politics. American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys, 80-year-old cheerleader Lois Strong, and Instagram COO Marne Levine can also be found on this year's list.
Source : The Jakarta Post
