Undiknas University and Australian Consulate-General Bali: Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025 with a Commitment to Gender Parity

Denpasar, Bali, March 7, 2025 – Ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, 2025, the Australian Consulate-General in Bali, in collaboration with the Denpasar City Government, is organizing a panel discussion and networking event at the Dharma Negara Alaya (DNA) Art and Creative Hub. The panel discussion themed “Women as Agents of Change” featured several prominent speakers from Bali, including Handoko Rama, Chief Operating Officer of the R.O.L.E Foundation, who is also an alumnus of the Universitas Pendidikan Nasional (UNDIKNAS), as well as Laksmi DeNeefe Suardana, Miss Universe Indonesia 2022.

The discussion was moderated by Kate Shanahan, Team Leader of INKLUSI from the Australia-Indonesia Partnership for an Inclusive Society. In this interactive event, the speakers addressed the global theme of International Women’s Day by UN Women: For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment, and sharing their experiences and ideas on advancing gender equality.

One of the speakers at the event is Handoko Rama, an alumnus of Undiknas University, who is also the CEO of Bali Wise. Handoko Rama has played a pivotal role in leading the Bali Wise program, which focuses on empowering underprivileged women in Bali through education, skills training, and vocational opportunities. Under his leadership, Bali Wise has become a powerful force for social change, helping women gain the skills they need to secure better jobs and achieve financial independence. As a proud graduate of Undiknas, Handoko embodies the values of education and social impact. His work with Bali Wise continues to inspire and uplift many individuals in the community, demonstrating how the combination of education, leadership, and dedication can create lasting positive change. Through his efforts, Handoko is not only improving the lives of women in Bali but also contributing to the broader mission of creating a more equitable and sustainable society.