Hijab Production Sparks Economic Revival for Women in Padang

Padang, VIVA – Women often face challenges in securing employment, largely due to their roles as housewives.

Many women dedicate time to managing households, raising children, and performing other family responsibilities, which can limit their opportunities for formal work experience or skill development outside the home.

Understanding this phenomenon, Elsa Maharani took the initiative to empower housewives in Simpang Koto Tingga, located on the border between the city and regency of Padang.

With her husband, Fajri Gurfan, Maharani established a local fashion business specializing in hijab production, named Maharrani Hijab.

Through Maharrani Hijab, she provided women who previously worked as stone-breakers or domestic helpers with an opportunity to earn incomes that exceed the minimum wage in Padang, improving their economic well-being.

By 2020, Maharrani Hijab had empowered 15 women as production staff and engaged 150 others as resellers and agents, providing them with stable income sources.

Maharani also extended her empowerment mission by involving inmates at the local correctional facility in making product packaging bags for her hijab brand.

Beyond business, she actively participates in social initiatives, including volunteer work with the residents of Muaro Correctional Facility.

She also established the Rumah Quran Serambi Minang, which now serves over 200 students of all ages, from children to university students.

During the pandemic, Maharani collaborated with fashion students in her city to produce masks for donation to the wider community.

Through her efforts to empower women and uplift the local economy through hijab production, Elsa Maharani was honored with the SATU Indonesia Award by Astra in 2020.