In this first episode of Power of the Women podcast, I talk with Dr. Melati Wibawa, Surgical specialist at the Endrawati Cancer Center at Prima Medika Hospital in Denpasar, Bali.
Dr. Melati is a woman who have followed her pursuit to heal others with bravery and strength. Few women in Indonesia receives an higher education, because as women you are supposed to get married early, and once married, dedicate all your time and energy to your husband and his family. When Balinese women get married, they move out of their family home and into their husbands family generational home. Within a year, you are expected to get pregnant, otherwise the community will think there is something wrong with you. And getting divorced is highly frowned upon.
Dr. Melati got married at the age of 29, but after 3 years of marriage, filed for divorce and remarried a few years later. Her first husband demanded her to stop her education to become a housewife. Dr. Melati listened to herself. She knew she was unhappy and that she was destined to do more, to serve and heal others. Her brave heart led her to become one of the few female surgical specialists in Indonesia and she now also dedicate her time to women across the island of Bali who suffer from breast cancer, to support them and encourage them to seek medical help. Many people in Bali, especially in rural areas, believe that when women get breast cancer, it is their bad karma. The women get isolated from their families and community and are afraid to seek medical help. Dr. Melati is an advocate and volunteer for The Bali Pink Ribbon organisation and she devotes not just her expertise, but also her personal support. Many women across the island have survived breast cancer because of her work, and even though just in her early 30's, Dr. Melati is one brave woman that inspires to many others around her because of her gentle, yet powerful energy, mindset and heart.
Dr. Melati was the doctor who performed my surgery of removing a breast tumor earlier this fall, that is how we met. Her way of treating me as her patient made a challenging experience to something positive. It was one of the pivoting moments in my life, when I was reminded of the powerful effects our attitudes and mindsets have on each other.
I speak with Dr. Melati on the challenges women in Bali face, breast cancer awareness, the need and importance of embracing our feminine powers, and how the power of one woman's mindset can make a shift for others to dare to speak up.
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Resources for women in Bali:
https://www.balipinkribbon.com
Phone : +62 (361) 4746238
Email : [email protected]
http://www.primamedika.com/id
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