Khairunnisa Ash'ari

Activist Type

Environment

Khairunnisa binti Ash'ari, a dedicated activist and politician from Brunei, has been a driving force in championing environmentalism and women's rights in her country and the surrounding region. With a background in environmental studies and a master's degree from King's College London, she co-founded Green Brunei, an environmentalist group, and has been instrumental in initiatives promoting youth development and sustainability. Notably, Ash'ari became the first Bruneian to receive the Queen's Young Leaders Award in 2015 and has since served as a member of the Legislative Council of Brunei, advocating for women's rights and sexual harassment awareness. Her relentless efforts and achievements, including recognition such as the ZICO ASEAN 40 Under 40 award, underscore her unwavering commitment to fostering positive change and peace in her community

Artwork by

Aya Ghanameh

My main thought behind this illustration was to highlight Khairunnisa Ash'ari’s femininity as a source of strength and resilience, due to her activist work in gender equality and environmentalism. Drawing inspiration from Brunei's national flower, the simpur, I sought to infuse her portrait with nature, symbolizing both her rootedness in culture and her blossoming impact on society. The flower frames her portrait, symbolizing the interconnectedness of her activism with the natural world and her ability to nurture change. Ultimately, this is a celebration of Khairunnisa Ash'ari’s indomitable spirit, and a tribute to her unwavering commitment to a better world.

Brunei Darussalam

Capital

Bandar Seri Begawan

Founded

January 1, 1984

Demonym

Bruneian