MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – President of ‘Aisyiyah Salmah Orbayinah emphasized the importance of inclusive leadership that considers gender, disability, and social inclusion. She highlighted that inclusive leadership is more than just providing equal opportunities.
“Inclusive leadership means creating a space for women with disabilities to speak, to be involved, and to be agents of change without fear of stigma or discrimination,” said Salmah Orabayinah at the opening of the Qaryah Thayyibah Cadre Jamboree at Universitas ‘Aisyiyah Yogyakarta on Saturday, November 9.
She stressed that gender-sensitive, disability-inclusive leadership not only provides equal opportunities for women with disabilities but also creates policies, work environments, and social cultures that support their active participation.
“This includes various aspects of life, including in the realm of leadership. We need to explore their potential, give them equal access to education, training, and experiences that can facilitate them to become competent leaders,” she added.
Gender equality and inclusion are crucial global goals. The World Economic Forum (WEF) reports that increased female participation in leadership can accelerate the achievement of these goals.
“The presence of more women in decision-making positions contributes to policies that are more concerned with social welfare, human rights, and social justice,” said Salmah Orbayinah.
However, UN Women’s reports revealed that women with disabilities face even greater challenges than women without disabilities in accessing education, training, and leadership roles. This results in a limited representation of women with disabilities in significant positions in government and the private sector in many countries.
Research from Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business Review indicated that inclusive leadership, involving women and individuals with disabilities, can bring about significant social change. In government and international organizations, more inclusive policies can create a more equitable environment and accelerate acceptance of diversity.
In Indonesia, data from the Statistics Indonesia (BPS) showed that approximately 10% of the population has disabilities, but the representation of women with disabilities in the public sector and leadership positions remains very low.
Despite efforts to create equality, the National Commission on Violence against Women noted that women with disabilities are often marginalized in terms of educational and political opportunities. Therefore, ‘Aisyiyah encourages women with disabilities to take on public roles as a crucial step in creating a just and equitable society.
