MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA — A member of the Muhammadiyah Central Board’s Council for Religious Opinion and Reform, Alimatul Qibtiyah, received the Promoting Women’s Empowerment and Social Inclusion Award at the Australian Alumni Awards 2025, held by the Australian Embassy for Indonesia in Jakarta, Thursday (20/11).
The award was presented to Australian alumni who have made significant contributions to women’s empowerment and support for vulnerable groups. Alimatul, a graduate of Western Sydney University, is widely known as an academic and advocate of gender equality.
She has built a long track record as a Professor of Gender Studies at Sunan Kalijaga Islamic State University and previously served as a Commissioner of the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) for the 2020-2024 period. She currently serves as a member of The Council for Religious Opinion and Reform of Muhammadiyah Central Board.
In her remarks, Alimatul emphasized that the award is a recognition of the struggle of many people who continue to face injustice and marginalization.
“This award is not solely for myself, but for the thousands of people who experience injustice,” she said, expressing her gratitude to Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah for being platforms where she has been able to work and express herself.
She added that her study experience in Australia shaped her perspective on community cooperation and diplomacy grounded in justice. According to her, an inclusive social system can only be built when society opens its heart and puts ego aside.
Australia’s Chargé d’Affaires to Indonesia, Gita Kamath, stated that the award was given to honor alumni leadership and their positive contributions to Indonesian society.
“We are very proud of their achievements. They have all made very positive contributions to Indonesian humanity,” Kamath said at the gala dinner attended by more than 400 alumni.
The Australian Embassy organized the Australian Alumni Awards 2025 as an annual recognition for Indonesian alumni who pursued higher education in Australia. This year, three prominent figures received awards in various categories, with Alimatul Qibtiyah being one of the main recipients for her contributions to women’s empowerment and social inclusion. (Bintang Adrian)
