Siti Mahfudzoh, a graduate in comparative religion and former feminist Muslim activist in Jakarta, faced growing challenges in her professional and personal life. After working as a reporter and editor, she experienced workplace discrimination, being passed over for promotion despite strong performance, and earning below minimum wage. The situation, combined with heavy workloads and systemic inequality, led to burnout and declining mental health, ultimately resulting in her resignation while she was pregnant.
After becoming a mother, Siti found the transition to full-time caregiving more difficult than expected, even with support from her husband. She experienced exhaustion from breastfeeding and daily responsibilities, alongside feelings of emptiness and loss of identity. Although she valued motherhood, she struggled with a sense of being unfulfilled and the desire to continue her personal and professional development.
In May 2025, Siti joined Link Women through a UN Women service provider, which introduced her to a supportive community focused on self-development, career growth, and future opportunities. Through active participation in workshops and assignments, she became one of the most engaged members, significantly rebuilding her confidence and sense of direction.
Before joining the programme, Siti had a LinkedIn profile but rarely used it due to self-doubt and lack of confidence. Through Link Women, she began sharing her experiences publicly and discovered that many other women faced similar challenges, particularly those seeking to re-enter the workforce after caregiving responsibilities. This sense of shared experience helped her overcome feelings of isolation.
Her participation in a writing challenge on LinkedIn marked a turning point, earning her recognition as one of the winners and reinforcing the value of her personal story. This achievement strengthened her confidence and helped her realise that her voice and experiences were meaningful and relatable to others.
Siti now advocates for broader access to programmes like Link Women, suggesting that similar initiatives should be expanded, including through government support, to reach more women—especially those with limited digital access—who are seeking opportunities for personal growth and economic reintegration.
