Empowering Women with Diabetes: Insights from the Women & Diabetes Symposium in Indonesia

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Women & Diabetes Symposium – Indonesia

Introducing Our Guest Contributor: Anita Sabidi

AnitaSabidi is an artist, illustrator, and designer from Jakarta, Indonesia, living with type 1 diabetes, cardiomyopathy, and asthma. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 13, Anita has turned her personal health challenges into a mission to raise awareness and advocate for improved healthcare access. She collaborates with Indonesia's diabetes community organizations, such as PERSADIA, IKADAR, and the NCD Alliance Indonesia. She uses her creative talents to design educational materials and customized diabetes wear that help children and families understand diabetes better. Anita's dedication extends to organizing workshops and educational programs to address the unique challenges faced by people living with multiple non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Indonesia.

Empowering Women through Awareness and Education

The Women & Diabetes Symposium aims to increase awareness of the unique challenges women face with diabetes. These challenges span various life stages, including menstruation, fertility, pregnancy, and menopause. The symposium also focuses on empowering women in diabetes prevention and management within their families.

Female Endocrinologist as speakers

Organized by Persatuan Diabetes Indonesia (PERSADIA) and Diabetes Initiative Indonesia (DIID), this event is a collaborative effort with local endocrinologists and medical students. The goal is to broaden awareness of diabetes' impact on women and highlight the importance of targeted education and support.

In 2023, the symposium was held in Jakarta, Denpasar, and Manado. This year, it expanded to include Medan, Denpasar, Jakarta, and Makassar. The events featured prominent speakers such as Prof. Sidartawan Soegondo, a specialist in metabolic endocrinology, Dr. Made Ratna Saraswati, a lecturer and metabolic endocrinologist from Bali, and Dr. Yuanita Asri Langi, an endocrinologist from North Sulawesi.

A Platform for Learning and Sharing

The symposium is designed for women with diabetes and includes participants from local health organizations, medical students, and the broader community. The event opened with a keynote speech by Prof. Sidartawan Soegondo, who emphasized the unique roles and challenges faced by women with diabetes. He highlighted the complexity of managing diabetes while balancing household responsibilities, family care, and professional commitments.

Symposium session

Dr. Ratna Saraswati addressed topics often avoided due to cultural sensitivities, such as menstruation and sexual dysfunction in women with diabetes. Dr. Yuanita Asri Langi focused on fertility, pregnancy, and menopause, discussing the need for stricter diabetes management during these critical phases. The symposium also featured the Dia-Move initiative, a program by DIID promoting active living for better diabetes management.

Addressing Key Concerns

Pregnancy is a significant concern for women with diabetes, involving careful preparation in the pre-conception, pregnancy, and post-pregnancy phases. The symposium addressed common questions about the safety of pregnancy for women with diabetes, considering factors like family pressure, the degree of complications, and risks such as miscarriage, premature birth, and the health of the mother and baby.

The workshops provided a safe space for women to receive accurate information, share their experiences, and support each other. The sessions highlighted the importance of frequent blood sugar monitoring and recognizing patterns during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause.

Expanding the Impact

The success of these workshops underscores the need for similar events across Indonesia. Collaborating with local health communities, universities, and medical students can help spread vital education about diabetes among women. Increased awareness and knowledge can improve diabetes prevention and management within families and communities.

As a woman with diabetes who has navigated menstruation, pregnancy, and now peri-menopause, I am passionate about educating others. The community of women with diabetes is a valuable support network where we can face challenges together and eliminate stigma through empowerment and education.

By empowering women with diabetes, we not only improve their lives but also enhance their roles in families and society. Education is crucial in this process, helping to remove the layered stigma of being a woman with diabetes and fostering a supportive and informed community.

Dia-Move showcase

Conclusion

The Women & Diabetes Symposium is a powerful initiative that addresses the unique needs of women with diabetes through education, support, and empowerment. By expanding these efforts, we can create a more inclusive and understanding environment for women with diabetes, ultimately improving their quality of life and health outcomes.

Acknowledgment

Special thanks to Anita Sabidi for sharing her key insights and experiences from the Women & Diabetes Symposium in Indonesia. Anita's dedication to raising awareness and advocating for improved healthcare access is truly inspiring and has significantly enriched this article. Her contributions are invaluable in empowering women with diabetes and advancing the field of diabetes education.

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