<— Go Back

Ayu Anastasia

Ayu Anastasia’s passion for marginalized communities and gender issues began during her undergraduate years in criminology and social welfare. Her academic journey evolved from understanding social justice through a criminological lens to exploring broader systemic inequalities. Since joining the Women Research Institute (WRI), Ayu has immersed herself in diverse gender issues across multiple sectors – from health and politics to women’s movements, environmental justice, and climate action. This multidisciplinary experience has sharpened her ability to recognize intersectional challenges and apply Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) analysis to create meaningful change. With over 11 years of experience, she has become a bridge-builder between environmental governance and gender equality, demonstrating how these fields are deeply interconnected in creating sustainable solutions for Indonesia and beyond.

Professionally, Ayu is passionate about integrating gender perspectives into environmental governance and climate resilience. She’s particularly drawn to empowering women in energy transition initiatives and developing gender-responsive policies that address unique challenges women face in environmental and democratic spaces.

Ayu has a deep love for plants and dreams of transforming her home into a mini forest (her neighbors might think she’s going overboard!). Her perfect morning starts with coffee while watching sunlight dance across her garden, supervised by her self-appointed feline garden manager. She finds peace grounding herself under sunshine among blooming flowers – a daily ritual that’s become her secret weapon for understanding natural interconnections. This mirrors her professional mission of creating nurturing environments where marginalized communities can thrive.

Ayu is totally that person who gets excited about remote area assignments – the more off-the-beaten-path, the better! Wherever work takes her, she sneaks in time for forest trails or barefoot beach walks, squishing sand between her toes. These nature moments are her way of remembering why she does what she does.

She’ll openly admit that encountering people who dismiss gender issues used to really get under her skin. Back in the day, she’d get worked up trying to convince skeptics on the spot. Now? She’s evolved into a zen master of strategic communication who can break down complex gender concepts into bite-sized, relatable explanations while staying completely cool. Her colleagues joke that she’s become the queen of anticipating counterarguments – always ready with clear analogies and real-world examples that actually land.