As the first runner-up for the 2023 Queen of the World Malaysia, Ezza Noni Hadjeli leveraged her platform to advocate for marginalised women.
Leave no woman behind
SARAWAK-born Ezza Noni Hadjeli has a clear aim: she wants to keep advocating for women in the country, especially those who are oppressed because they lack support from partners or families and have low confidence because of their appearance or body shape.
Hence, her achievement as the first runner-up for 2023 Queen of the World Malaysia on October 27 this year is crucial to her mission.
“I aspire to be a woman icon that helps other women because I believe that in order for women to establish powerful alliances, they must support one another.
“It is this alliance and support that will help the (oppressed) women out there to get up and out of their problems and, in turn, help change their lives for the better.
“Indirectly, this can also ease the problems they have borne all this time and, at the same time, improve their mental health,” said the 42-year-old beauty queen, who is Malay, Chinese, and Kedayan by descent.
Ezza stated that, for the time being, she is still making an effort to connect with women who wish to talk about issues that they are unable to communicate to their partners or families.
Thus, in order to effectively support her target group, this third of seven siblings truly prayed that she would be successful in securing funding and other forms of support from governmental and non-governmental groups, including women’s associations.
“I’ll do all in my power to assist and transform the lives of as many ladies as I can who are in need of my assistance.
“I will make sure that they will be the women who have more courage to speak up in order to dignify themselves at a higher level,” she stressed.
She also mentioned that, as part of her search for funds and related assistance for marginalised women, she would collaborate with Kimi Tomas, the winner of the 2023 Mrs Global Asian.
Beauty with a purpose
Ezza, a mother of six, expressed her gratitude to her husband and family for their unwavering support during her journey in the 2023 Queen of the World Malaysia pageant.
The Kuchingite, who now resides in Melaka, claimed that at one point during the competition, she was on the verge of giving up.
But her husband’s tireless encouragement inspired her to keep going and show other women that she was capable.
“I am not joining this pageant just for fun; it’s something meaningful for me. My goal is to realise my ambition of becoming a proud and capable woman who can help other women.
“Yes, there is no doubting that competing in this pageant involves a lot of obstacles and difficulties.
“I competed with outstanding finalists, who are all strong and attractive in a variety of domains. I believe the 2023 Queen of the World Malaysia is unquestionably searching for a woman who can bring honour to Malaysia.
“As a result, before we settled down on the night of the finale, we received three days of intense training from excellent teachers, which included cat walking and public speaking,” she explained.
However, according to Ezza, the most crucial thing was the outcome, since it brought her immense satisfaction and taught her valuable things.
The full-time housewife, who also assists with the financial management of several of her husband’s businesses, stated that the beauty contest had broadened her perspective, strengthened her confidence and allowed her to perceive previously unseen viewpoints.
The best part? She met a lot of wonderful new people — great women who bring their own extraordinary advocacies.
Meanwhile, speaking of her roles as a mother and stepmother, Ezza stated that she did not consider herself
to be a stepmother because she treats her six children equally and with affection.
“As a mother, I always make sure I have time for my kids and to give them ample attention.
“I’ll make an effort to participate in all of their school activities and accompany them anywhere they want me to.
“Alhamdulillah, all my children have so far consistently achieved great grades in both their academic and extracurricular activities.
“As long as I’m still breathing, I won’t let them experience the lack of love, education and attention,” she pointed out.
Forthcoming project
Ezza, who used to work in the human resources and accounting fields, said that in addition to wanting to assist other women, she intended to restart her business.
She previously owned the fashion brand Ezza Noni.
She had participated in the Ratu Rania show in 2013 and was the sole representative from Borneo. She was also crowned Mrs Sarawak champion in 2014 and organised the Puteri Glam beauty contest in several districts in Sarawak.
This beauty queen is currently occupied with her charitable activity, which involves delivering motivational talks in schools around Melaka.
