"Ensuring that in this new trend and in the near future, women will have the same opportunities, be truly able to seize this opportunity to have an equal contribution in a task that will be very crucial in the future, like digital and green economy," the minister stated at the event titled "Empowering Women to Shape the Future of Jobs" on Tuesday.
At the event, the minister spotlighted some of the most challenging issues that prevent women from fully participating in the sector and underscored the need to address them.
The issues include familial, religious, and cultural values as well as the stigma that women were not up for the task due to the lack of competency in technology and mathematics.
Hence, Indrawati pressed for greater encouragement to be given to women to pursue broader participation and a standard beyond the requirements, having capability not only limited to basic education but also of higher comprehension in science, technology, and mathematics, she elaborated.
Moreover, women need to have digital literacy training, so they would be able to reap best benefits from financial technology and digital development. Women are expected to seize opportunities amid a digital shift in the economy and state.
Minister Indrawati pointed out that several businesses currently employ digital platforms and digital markets, thereby allowing women to stay at home to care for the children whilst simultaneously providing them an opportunity to be productive and hone their entrepreneurship skills to access the market.
"However, all of this will need digital knowledge, and this is usually supported by other people," she stated.
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Indonesia has some programs to promote gender equality, the minister noted. These programs, such as the 1,000 Digital Startups National Initiative by the Communication and Informatics Ministry, ensure that women are ready for a new era of digital and green economy life.
The program aims to facilitate opportunity for digital-based entrepreneurship for everyone in Indonesia while concurrently encouraging female entrepreneurs.
There are also other programs, i.e. MSMEs Caretakers, as well as catalogue creation for micro, small, and medium enterprises, both by the Cooperatives and SMEs Ministry, which aim to facilitate MSMEs' digital transformation, particularly through the online marketplace.
Indonesia also has the Proudly Made in Indonesia Initiative (Gernas BBI) to increase love and appreciation for local-made products, especially those created by MSMEs, so they would develop better.
The target of integrating 30 million MSMEs into the digital ecosystem is expected to be achieved through these programs, thereby leading to the demand for MSMEs products, which in turn would improve MSMEs' performance and profoundly impact economic growth.
"All of these are programs in which the recipients are usually female entrepreneurs, who know fully well that through these government programs, they can expand their market reach and obtain technical assistance on packaging a quality product," the minister added.
Moreover, the Finance Ministry promotes accessible financial services for MSMEs, wherein the players are mainly women. Subsidized funding for them is in line with the national strategy on financial inclusivity for women, she added.
The minister said several scientific proofs and research indicated that gender equality was good for the economy and state as well as the family and youth.
"Youth and children can later see the actual proof that there is no limit, no issues, whether you are male or female, and it can be so crucial, influencing the next generation," she concluded.
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Translator: Martha Herlinawati S, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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