ParagonCorp’s Wardah, Southeast Asia’s leading beauty brand and Indonesia’s pioneer in halal beauty, brought its values-driven perspective to the international stage at theJadal Women’s Research Dialogue, a global Muslim women’s meeting organized by the Al Mujadilah Center and Mosque for Women. The participation reinforces Wardah’s commitment to advancing women’s leadership and ethical business worldwide, in line with Wardah Beauty Moves You belief that beauty empowers women to grow, spread kindness, and make a positive impact.
The international forum convened Muslim academics, researchers, and practitioners from various fields and countries to discuss contemporary issues shaping the lives and leadership of Muslim women.
ParagonCorp Wardah presented two speakers for the panel discussion: Retno Marsudi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia for the 2014-2024 term, and dr. Sari Chairunnisa, Sp.D.V.E, FINSDV, Deputy CEO and Chief R&D Officer of ParagonCorp. Also present at the discussion were Haya Al Ghanim, founder of Oola in Qatar; Anita Ahmed, CEO of the MySDGs Foundation in Malaysia; and Shariah Nelly Francis, CEO of the PETRONAS Foundation in Malaysia.
Dr. Sohaira Siddiqui, the Executive Director of Al Mujadilah, said, “As an academic who is also deeply involved within the Muslim community, I experienced two types of distinct spaces: academic spaces for research and theoretical conversations, and community spaces for gathering and practical conversations. Inhabiting both spaces, I realized the need for them to be merged—for there to be conversations at the crossroads between research and everyday life, between scholars and practitioners, and between theory, practice and lived realities. Jadal was born out of this realization and has been thoughtfully curated to create meaningful exchange and facilitate community development between Muslim women globally.”
During the Jadal Women’s Research Dialogue, ParagonCorp Wardah emphasized that faith, values, and women’s leadership are essential for developing ethical businesses and sustainable communities. In the beauty industry, ethical business practices are inextricably linked to the concept of halal, an ethical framework that guides every step of the process, from sourcing and formulation to product claims and the entire value chain of the business process. Today, halal is a global standard representing quality, safety, and responsibility in every product.
As a pioneer in halal beauty, Wardah affirms its commitment through the Ethical Business Ecosystem as a Living Value, where halal is not merely a label but a guiding principle embedded throughout innovation, operations, and contributions to society. This end-to-end commitment spans the selection of high-quality ingredients, a cruelty-free supply chain, the use of advanced technology to ensure quality, transparent business practices, and a strong dedication to the circular economy and community development.
“Halal is an ethical principle that shapes the way we work. It’s not just a business, it’s a form of stewardship and our responsibility as human beings,” said Dr. Sari Chairunnisa, Sp.D.V.E., FINSDV.
In terms of leadership, Retno Marsudi emphasized that purpose must be the main foundation of women’s leadership. “A leader needs a moral compass to navigate daily decisions, especially amid global uncertainty. Integrity and values must guide leadership to ensure commitment to the public interest, including vulnerable groups,” she said.
As part of its participation at Jadal, ParagonCorp Wardah also shared insights from a qualitative study on Indonesian Muslim women, exploring their aspirations around beauty, modernity, and lifestyles aligned with Islamic values. The research reveals that Indonesian Muslim women view beauty as a journey of becoming better, expressed through passion, independence, productivity, grace, and courage, ultimately leading to meaningful contributions to society.
The younger generation of Muslim women increasingly views beauty and leadership through the lens of purpose. Having the courage to speak up and make an impact has become an integral part of self-expression. In this context, beauty is not only about appearance, but also about integrity and the harmony of physical and spiritual aspects. Beauty is also about moral responsibility.
Amid rapid social change, this research confirms that Muslim women can navigate modernity without abandoning their values and faith. Ethical principles and social awareness serve as a compass for defining personal growth and contributions to others.
“We believe beauty is most meaningful when it inspires women to grow and create a positive impact on others. As a Purposeful Beauty Tech Company, ParagonCorp is grounded in values, ethics, and social responsibility, principles that Wardah brings to the global conversation. Through our participation in the Jadal Women’s Research Dialogue, we aim to amplify the voice and strengthen the role of Muslim women in driving continuous positive change, both in Indonesia and globally,” said Dr. Sari Chairunnisa, Sp.D.V.E., FINSDV.Through this involvement, Wardah emphasizes that beauty is not only meant to be seen, but lived through purpose, responsibility, and meaningful contributions, reflecting the spirit of Wardah Beauty Moves You, Because Every Step Matters for a Purposeful Movement.
