Malaysian woman carpenter is fostering a community of skilled DIY lovers

Aida (third from right) teaches basic carpentry skills to women. Photos: Aida Ihsani

Aida Ihsani has made a name for herself as a self-taught carpenter and has been dedicated to holding carpentry workshops exclusively for women. She has passion for empowering others and has embarked on a path to provide women with the opportunity to learn carpentry skills and gain confidence in using power tools.

“I want other women to have hands-on experience using power tools so they can independently undertake DIY (do-it-yourself) or home improvements projects on their own, for themselves. I have already taught over 800 women from diverse backgrounds,” says Aida, 33.

“Many of them have expressed a long-standing desire to learn how to use power tools, and they are thrilled to finally have the chance at my workshops,” she says.

Aida wants other women to have hands-on experience of using power tools so they can do DIY or any home improvements on their own.The significance of women learning carpentry skills goes beyond mere practicality, she emphasises.

Aida wants other women to have hands-on experience of using power tools so they can do DIY or any home improvements on their own.“I have heard stories from these women about how their fathers or spouses wouldn’t teach or allow them to use power tools around the house, which is extremely frustrating. I firmly believe that carpentry should be considered a basic life skill for everyone, regardless of gender, and not be limited by societal conditioning.

“Carpentry skills enable individuals to independently tackle DIY projects or do improvements to their home and it also involves life skills such as patience, determination, and resilience. While not everyone may continue pursuing carpentry, learning the skills involved does provides a sense of accomplishment and a confidence boost that can positively impact other areas of their lives,” shares the law graduate from Britain’s University of Reading.

In 2016, Aida and her former husband, Shafril Hadi, launched “adiaidareka,” a carpentry business based in PJ, along with hands-on woodworking workshops for people of all ages. Since their separation, Aida has rebranded herself as Aida Ihsani, focusing primarily on carpentry workshops for women.

Aida believes that everyone should have the opportunity to learn carpentry, regardless of their background or age.

Reflecting on her interest in carpentry, Aida says, “I grew up aspiring to be a lawyer because, at that time, being a carpenter was an unconventional career choice (for women). However, after obtaining my law degree, I had a change of heart and decided to go against the social norm of entering the corporate world. Fast forward to when I was working for a non governmental organisation, I also volunteered to build houses for the Orang Asli, and that’s when I stumbled upon woodworking.

Aida (left) believes that everyone should have the opportunity to learn carpentry, regardless of their background or age.“My inspiration came from stepping out of my comfort zone and engaging in meaningful work with my own hands, which has been incredibly empowering.”

However, venturing into the carpentry business hasn’t been easy for Aida, as it is a male-dominated field.

“When I mention that I do woodworking, people often assume that I’m involved in (the) accounting (side of things) or design within the company. They struggle to comprehend the idea of a women-owned carpentry business, let alone grasp that I personally operate the machines, including the table saw and other power tools.

"Carpentry is also physically demanding, but that shouldn’t deter women who can go through (the physical demands of) pregnancy and still accomplish anything and everything.”

Her workshops have captured the attention of women from all walks of life and have empowered the lives many women, one woodworking project at a time. Teenagers, homemakers and even grandmothers have travelled from as far as Penang, Johor, and Sabah to enroll in her workshops.

Aida firmly believes in tailoring the workshop experience to meet the needs and desires of her participants, ensuring they acquire practical skills which they can apply in their daily lives.

Aida says carpentry should be considered a basic life skill for everyone, regardless of gender, and not be limited by societal conditioning.Aida’s inspiration for starting carpentry workshops for women stems from her desire to empower others in a safe space for women where they can learn and grow. She firmly believes that everyone should have the opportunity to learn carpentry, regardless of their background.

“Some of the participants have gone from being strangers to forming new, budding friendships. In the workshops, there is a different atmosphere among women – one of support and empowerment. You don’t have to worry about making mistakes or asking questions about things you don’t know.”

The women who attend her workshops may come to learn carpentry skills but often leave empowered to take control of their lives and confidently tackle any project that comes their way. With each workshop, Aida sees her vision of building a community of skilled and empowered women becoming a tangible reality.