UNDIP, Semarang (April 19) – In the spirit of post-Eid al-Fitr togetherness and character-building, the Dharma Wanita Persatuan (DWP) of Universitas Diponegoro held a Halal Bihalal and Kartini Day Commemoration event 2025 titled “Weaving Bonds, Strengthening Character: The Role of Women in Parenting, Career, and Social Life”. The event featured guest speaker dr. Aisah Dahlan, CMHt., CM.NLP., and took place at the Entrepreneurship Building, Faculty of Economics and Business UNDIP, on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
The event was not only a meaningful occasion for reconnecting but also served as a reflective space to reinforce and discuss the vital role of women as wives, mothers, and contributors to social life.
Present at the event were UNDIP Rector Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., who also serves as an advisor to DWP UNDIP, deans from various faculties within the university, and other guests.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Suharnomo emphasized the significance and benefit of organizing a talk show in conjunction with Halal Bihalal and Kartini Day. He stated that women’s activities, particularly those of wives, bring blessings and positive impact—mainly when supported by their husbands. For this reason, the Rector and deans, as husbands, were present to express their support for the positive endeavors of their wives within the DWP framework.
He noted that husbands’ presence at such events is a form of respect, care, and affection toward their wives.
Prof. Suharnomo further explained that while older studies may have drawn clear lines between domestic and professional responsibilities, recent research shows the two domains are interconnected. Issues at home can affect workplace productivity and vice versa. Since the human brain cannot be compartmentalized, achieving quality of work life requires balance—supported by a healthy family environment.
Echoing the Rector’s sentiments, keynote speaker dr. Aisah Dahlan highlighted that studies show women who are happy at home are more likely to succeed in their careers, and the same holds for men. She pointed out that misunderstandings between spouses often stem from fundamental differences between men and women.
She elaborated on neurological and behavioral differences: women have better inter-hemispheric brain connectivity, enabling them to multitask, while men tend to focus on one task at a time. In terms of communication, women use approximately 20,000 words per day, compared to 7,000 words for men—making women naturally more talkative, while men typically dislike being overly advised.
She also explained anatomical differences such as the sclera (the white part of the eye), which is wider in women, allowing them to detect peripheral objects. In contrast, men’s narrower sclera makes them more focused on objects directly in front of them. These facts often explain why men may struggle to find items right in front of them—sparking domestic debates rooted in these physiological distinctions.
dr. Aisah encouraged wives and mothers to understand these differences, believing that greater awareness can reduce misunderstandings and false assumptions in relationships. By appreciating that men express themselves differently, women can respond more empathetically.
The same principles apply to children. Parenting and communication approaches should differ between boys and girls. By learning and acknowledging these differences, mothers can be more patient and wise in guiding their children.
Chair of DWP UNDIP, Dewi Widayani Suharnomo, expressed her gratitude for the presence of the participants and the valuable insights shared by dr. Aisah Dahlan. “We firmly believe and hope that the knowledge and experiences shared by our speaker will inspire women to support one another, continue to empower themselves, and make positive contributions to their families, careers, and communities,” she concluded.
The event closed with a token of appreciation presented to the speaker and a group photo to commemorate the meaningful gathering. (Ut-Media Relations)