Women Empowerment and Disability Inclusion Strengthened with the Trend of Environmentally Friendly Mobility

JAKARTA - The issue of sustainability is no longer just about reducing emissions or preserving the environment. Moreover, in the era of digital everything, attention is also increasingly given to efforts to create equal opportunities for women, people with disabilities, and community groups who have been facing various economic barriers.

In conjunction with World Environment Day, various initiatives that combine environmental aspects, inclusiveness, and social empowerment show that transformation towards a sustainable future cannot be done in part.

Low-emission mobility, wider access to jobs, to strengthening community capacity are part of efforts to create a more comprehensive impact.

Director of Digital and Sustainability Grab Indonesia, Rivana Mezaya, assessed that sustainability must be understood as an effort to provide benefits that are felt directly by the community.

"Sustainability is not only about taking care of the environment, but also about how technology can help more people gain the opportunity to grow. We continue to present various initiatives that support the welfare of partners, expand economic access for minority groups, empower local communities, and encourage various environmental solutions that provide long-term benefits," said Rivana in his statement to VOI, Wednesday, June 24.

One approach that is increasingly gaining attention is the use of electric vehicles in application-based transportation services.

In addition to helping reduce carbon emissions in urban areas, the use of electric fleets also opens up new economic opportunities for people who want to switch to more environmentally friendly modes of transportation.

Currently, more than 14,000 electric vehicles are operating in the digital transportation service ecosystem in Indonesia, supported by a network of battery exchange stations spread across various regions.

In addition to encouraging low-emission mobility, various environmental conservation programs are also carried out through support for peatland restoration, mangrove planting, utilization of agricultural waste into biochar, to the development of community-based renewable energy.

On the other hand, efforts to reduce the use of disposable packaging have also begun to be expanded through education and assistance for micro-entrepreneurs to make it easier to switch to alternative packaging that can be recycled and have a lower environmental impact.

The development of the digital economy also presents new opportunities for groups that have been facing challenges in obtaining formal jobs, including women and people with disabilities.

Throughout 2025, more than 189,000 women and people with disabilities were recorded to earn income through various services in the digital ecosystem. This figure shows the increasing need for more flexible and inclusive workspaces.

Various training and capacity development programs are also designed to help them improve skills, build economic independence, and expand access to employment opportunities.

One of the female drivers, Saidah Anwar from Tangerang, admitted that the presence of flexible work opportunities helped her rise after facing family economic challenges.

"I used to often worry about how to meet the needs of a family alone. Joining Grab gives me the opportunity to regain confidence in my own abilities. I not only earn an income, but also find a community that supports each other. Now I can support my family, help other single mothers, and show that women have the same opportunity to work and be independent," he said.

Apart from the aspect of living standards, increasing women's sense of security in public spaces is also a concern through the provision of digital security features, sexual harassment prevention training, and a support community that allows female workers to share experiences and support.

Inclusiveness is also realized through educational support for vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities. Access to education is considered one of the important factors for creating social mobility and expanding employment opportunities in the future.

Aldo Triawan Saputra, a disabled student from the Syekh Wasil Kediri State Islamic University (UIN), said that educational support gave him the confidence to continue to pursue his dreams.

"I believe education can change a person's life. Because I have physical limitations, I used to worry if I could compete and realize my dreams. The support I received gave me the courage to keep going and prove that limitations are not an obstacle to achieving success," said Aldo.

According to him, equal opportunities are an important factor so that more disabled people can show their potential.

Current sustainability trends show that the success of an initiative is not only measured by the environmental impact it produces, but also by the extent to which the program is able to improve people's quality of life.