Alisha Syakira Triawan: Teen activist, organizer, and author.
Hi all! My name is Alisha Syakira Triawan. I'm currently 16 and a half! I have quite a lot of passion on Indonesian literature, gender equity, social justice, human rights and social issues. I'm a full time student at SMA Labschool Jakarta (Labschool Senior High School Jakarta), I'm Junior now, but I will be a Senior next month, outside of school, I am an Editor In Chief for my school magazine as well as the head of Journalism extracurricular. I also lead Jakarta chapter of PERIOD Movement and Girl STEMpowerment. I'm also a member of some local and international organizations that working on environmental issues.
Question: Speak to us about being in the PERIOD Movement and Girl STEMpowerment, how did you become involved in those organizations? What is the aim of those organizations? And what drew you into joining those teams?
Alisha: It was all started when I was a sophomore in High School, one of my closets friends, Laura Ismi, were asking if we both could make a social project in our city or in our community. When I was younger I always have a dream, I want to change the world. So basically, I was searching for what fields should I working on or what type of social projects that Laura and I should create. Beside that, I've seen homeless girls who are not being able to afford period products. I also have experienced verbal bullying around menstruation and tired hiding my pads on my sleeves. In my society, many girls ashamed to talk even a single word about period, older people always associated it to a private thing or even related to pornography. Many girls don't get any proper sex education including menstrual education here, simply that's why I decided to create Jakarta chapter of PERIOD Movement. I also have seen marginalized girls don't have any chance to pursue education including in STEM. The aim of PERIOD Movement is simply to fight to end period poverty and period stigma with service, education and advocacy. For my chapter, our main goal is to invite all menstruator to know about their menstrual rights--including accessible way to get proper period products and menstrual education. While Girl STEMpowerment works to help facilitate young girls to gain STEM knowledge by free workshops and help to reduce gender gap in STEM.
Question: That’s incredible! Are you hoping to study in a career related to the work you are currently doing? Has this work opened any career opportunities for the future to you?
Alisha: Actually I'm planning to study anything related with Gender and Sexuality Studies in the future, but sadly in Indonesia there aren't many universities that open that major in bachelor degree, so I hope I will be able to take that concentration when I take major degree. Well, my dream job is always been a writer! So in the future, I will write about my life experiences including my journey on activism field. I also interested to be a staff of big NGO like UNICEF or WHO. So, yeah I think it will be at least a little help!
Question: Interesting! Has it been difficult juggling school, these positions at these organizations, and your social life? What do others think about your ambitions?
Alisha: Honestly it has been difficult. Yeah, I couldn't be lie if sometime I have trouble balancing school stuffs, organizations, socializing with my friends and having time with my family. I always think that education isn't just about in school and world is so big. When I get not-so-good grade, people would "that must be because of you're too focus on organizations!" but I get used to it and keep telling myself that both education and organization having the same scale of importance.
Question: Definitely! Balance is very important. Speaking of friends and family, who has been your biggest supporter in all this?
Alisha: Of course my parents! They both always give me a space to work or join whatever I'd like as long as it's positive. They facilitate me with accommodation and transportation hahaha! After my parents, my best friends are also so supportive and has always been there whenever I need help.
Question: Who is your role model and what do you admire most about them?
Alisha: I got inspirations from many people but I don't think I have 'role model', I have different perspective at defining it. I saw many great and aspiring people and take positive vibes on each of them. What I noticed the most usually about their courage, resilience, braveness and innovation.
Question: Any upcoming projects we should look out for?
Alisha: Well most of our upcoming projects are still secrets haha. But PERIOD Jakarta is planning to create fun online challenge during quarantine. We also planning to make webinar or online discussion forum for Indonesian girls but we still in progress to figure it out.
Question: How are you coping with this pandemic?
Alisha: For organizations, I try to keep maintaining the communication between all staffs and members, I know it's harder because due to this pandemic we got huge online classes or online jobs hahaha! But communication is the main key! Also I'm trying to reschedule things to make my schedule more adaptive. For my own self, you know at the beginning I also mentally uncertain. But I know all my feelings are valid and we are together, I'm not alone. So yeah, keep telling myself that everything's will be alright. The world will recover and back to normal as usual.
Question: Yes, we are all going through this together! 💗 Any advice you have for teens hoping to follow your footsteps?
Alisha: Just be yourself. Be unique and innovative! You are only one in this whole world so let the world knows you! Don't wait for any opportunity but create your own opportunity! Be genuine and never forget to be kind.
Thank you so much! That concludes the interview, anything you’d like to add?
Alisha: No, thank you for this amazing chance! I think that's enough, again, thank you so much!
Alisha’s Biography:
Alisha Syakira Triawan is a 16 year-old Indonesian activist, organizer and author. She is currently a 11th grader student at Labschool Senior High School Jakarta. Alisha is the founder and president of PERIOD@Jakarta, Indonesia and Girl STEMpowerment Jakarta and has written 5 Indonesian children books.
Question: Speak to us about being in the PERIOD Movement and Girl STEMpowerment, how did you become involved in those organizations? What is the aim of those organizations? And what drew you into joining those teams?
Alisha: It was all started when I was a sophomore in High School, one of my closets friends, Laura Ismi, were asking if we both could make a social project in our city or in our community. When I was younger I always have a dream, I want to change the world. So basically, I was searching for what fields should I working on or what type of social projects that Laura and I should create. Beside that, I've seen homeless girls who are not being able to afford period products. I also have experienced verbal bullying around menstruation and tired hiding my pads on my sleeves. In my society, many girls ashamed to talk even a single word about period, older people always associated it to a private thing or even related to pornography. Many girls don't get any proper sex education including menstrual education here, simply that's why I decided to create Jakarta chapter of PERIOD Movement. I also have seen marginalized girls don't have any chance to pursue education including in STEM. The aim of PERIOD Movement is simply to fight to end period poverty and period stigma with service, education and advocacy. For my chapter, our main goal is to invite all menstruator to know about their menstrual rights--including accessible way to get proper period products and menstrual education. While Girl STEMpowerment works to help facilitate young girls to gain STEM knowledge by free workshops and help to reduce gender gap in STEM.
Question: That’s incredible! Are you hoping to study in a career related to the work you are currently doing? Has this work opened any career opportunities for the future to you?
Alisha: Actually I'm planning to study anything related with Gender and Sexuality Studies in the future, but sadly in Indonesia there aren't many universities that open that major in bachelor degree, so I hope I will be able to take that concentration when I take major degree. Well, my dream job is always been a writer! So in the future, I will write about my life experiences including my journey on activism field. I also interested to be a staff of big NGO like UNICEF or WHO. So, yeah I think it will be at least a little help!
Question: Interesting! Has it been difficult juggling school, these positions at these organizations, and your social life? What do others think about your ambitions?
Alisha: Honestly it has been difficult. Yeah, I couldn't be lie if sometime I have trouble balancing school stuffs, organizations, socializing with my friends and having time with my family. I always think that education isn't just about in school and world is so big. When I get not-so-good grade, people would "that must be because of you're too focus on organizations!" but I get used to it and keep telling myself that both education and organization having the same scale of importance.
Question: Definitely! Balance is very important. Speaking of friends and family, who has been your biggest supporter in all this?
Alisha: Of course my parents! They both always give me a space to work or join whatever I'd like as long as it's positive. They facilitate me with accommodation and transportation hahaha! After my parents, my best friends are also so supportive and has always been there whenever I need help.
Question: Who is your role model and what do you admire most about them?
Alisha: I got inspirations from many people but I don't think I have 'role model', I have different perspective at defining it. I saw many great and aspiring people and take positive vibes on each of them. What I noticed the most usually about their courage, resilience, braveness and innovation.
Question: Any upcoming projects we should look out for?
Alisha: Well most of our upcoming projects are still secrets haha. But PERIOD Jakarta is planning to create fun online challenge during quarantine. We also planning to make webinar or online discussion forum for Indonesian girls but we still in progress to figure it out.
Question: How are you coping with this pandemic?
Alisha: For organizations, I try to keep maintaining the communication between all staffs and members, I know it's harder because due to this pandemic we got huge online classes or online jobs hahaha! But communication is the main key! Also I'm trying to reschedule things to make my schedule more adaptive. For my own self, you know at the beginning I also mentally uncertain. But I know all my feelings are valid and we are together, I'm not alone. So yeah, keep telling myself that everything's will be alright. The world will recover and back to normal as usual.
Question: Yes, we are all going through this together! 💗 Any advice you have for teens hoping to follow your footsteps?
Alisha: Just be yourself. Be unique and innovative! You are only one in this whole world so let the world knows you! Don't wait for any opportunity but create your own opportunity! Be genuine and never forget to be kind.
Thank you so much! That concludes the interview, anything you’d like to add?
Alisha: No, thank you for this amazing chance! I think that's enough, again, thank you so much!
Alisha’s Biography:
Alisha Syakira Triawan is a 16 year-old Indonesian activist, organizer and author. She is currently a 11th grader student at Labschool Senior High School Jakarta. Alisha is the founder and president of PERIOD@Jakarta, Indonesia and Girl STEMpowerment Jakarta and has written 5 Indonesian children books.