Keeping Voices Alive Through Comedy and Community
For women and young people in Indonesia, especially those navigating social pressure, gender-based violence, and limited platforms for expression, finding a safe space to speak — let alone be heard — remains deeply challenging. Comedy, when rooted in lived experience, can become a powerful tool for healing, resistance, and connection. Yet sustaining creative communities often requires flexibility, resilience, and the courage to adapt when circumstances change.
Earth Company provided a US$3,000 grant to Impact Heroes 2024 cohort member, Sakdiyah Ma’ruf, Indonesia’s first Muslim female stand-up comedian and founder of the Our Voice Comedy for Change. While challenges required a shift from the original plan to publish an autobiography, the support enabled Sakdiyah to pivot meaningfully — focusing on what mattered most: continuing to nurture women comedians, expanding their audiences, and grounding her work in community care. Even amid uncertainty, the grant ensured that voices were not lost, momentum was not broken, and belief in the power of art endured.
At a Glance
Sakdiyah is known to be the first Muslim female comedian in Indonesia. Raised in a conservative Arab community, she experienced domestic violence as a child. For Sakdiyah, comedy helped her find comfort amidst her trauma. Realizing the trauma-relieving potential of humor, she launched the ”One Voice: Comedy for Change” campaign to bring emotional rehabilitation through laughter and comedy to as many women as possible who have experienced the same things she did.
Through shows like Comedy Jihad and Born A Woman, she challenges societal norms, bringing joy and empowerment. As the founder of Our Voice Comedy for Change Collective, Sakdiyah empowers women and youth to find their voice for freedom and equality. Currently residing in a bamboo house in Batang, Central Java, she’s creating a community space for women and children.
Strengthening Women’s Voices and Expanding Creative Opportunities
With Earth Company’s support, Sakdiyah conducted an Our Voice Comedy training for 25 women and youth, equipping participants with performance skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging within a creative community. Beyond training, the grant enabled audience development for four women alumni, who shared the stage with Sakdiyah at two of Jakarta’s largest public venues: an International Youth Day event with UNFPA at Sarinah Mall, and the Kick-off of the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women at Monumen Nasional, Jakarta, in collaboration with the National Commission on Violence Against Women. These moments offered rare, high-visibility exposure — transforming past trainees into public performers and role models, and reaching more than 100 audience members, along with families and wider communities.
Nurturing the Next Generation Through Local Community Support
A portion of the grant was also directed toward Sakdiyah’s home village, supporting a library and creative space for young girls, reaching 10 elementary-school-aged girls. Through access to books, creativity, and safe gathering spaces, the initiative planted early seeds of confidence and imagination. While small in scale, this effort reflected Sakdiyah’s long-term commitment to community-rooted change — ensuring that empowerment begins early, locally, and with care.
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