Woman-Run Café in Aceh Breaks Gender Barriers and Inspires Change

BANDA ACEH– In Aceh, Indonesia, a region known for its conservative values, Qurrata Ayuni has opened Morning Mama, the city’s only woman-owned café. At 28, Qurrata is challenging traditional gender roles by providing a space where women can gather, work, and enjoy coffee away from the noisy, smoke-filled cafés usually dominated by men.

In Aceh, where women face strict rules like wearing hijabs and are often limited in their career choices, Morning Mama offers a safe, smoke-free environment. The café serves mainly hijab-wearing women and provides items like children’s books and menstrual products, making it a welcoming place for women of all ages.

Qurrata said she opened the café because she wanted to create a place where women could feel comfortable and be themselves. “It’s a message that women can own businesses, make decisions, and lead,” she said.

Before starting her business, Qurrata faced many challenges, including the loss of her parents in the 2004 tsunami. But with encouragement from her family, she started the café and now employs both men and women. Over 1,000 women have already applied to work as baristas, showing the demand for such opportunities in Aceh.

While some still believe women should stay at home, Qurrata is proving that times are changing. She hopes her café can inspire other women to pursue their dreams. “Women can do more than people think,” she said. “We can be leaders, creators, and innovators.”