Together With UN Women, Gojek Encourages Economic Empowerment Of Indonesian Women

Online Ojek Driver (Angga / VOI)

JAKARTA - Technology company Gojek and the United Nations Agency for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment (UN Women) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to encourage women's economic empowerment in Indonesia.

Quoted from Gojek's official statement, the memorandum of understanding will provide a framework to strengthen synergy and joint advocacy aimed at educating more women of their rights for equal economic opportunities.

Moreover, 64.5 percent of MSMEs in Indonesia are managed by women. Unfortunately, however, they tend to be concentrated in businesses with low productivity compared to those managed by men.

Women in Indonesia face several challenges, such as limited access to skills development, technology and business networks. This partnership will cover three areas of cooperation, namely supporting women's entrepreneurship through capacity building and knowledge building.

Furthermore, collecting new data and analysis regarding the impact of COVID-19 on small and micro businesses, including on Gojek partners and others, to formulate data-based strategies and policies for national economic recovery.

Lastly, is to promote women's safety in the public sphere to ensure women's full participation in public life, including in pursuing economic opportunities.

"By collaborating to make the most of the use of appropriate information and technology, our common goal is to empower women who are less fortunate to overcome barriers to economic opportunities and ensure that no one is left behind, especially in these challenging times," said Jamshed Kazi, UN Women Representative and Liaison to ASEAN.

UN Women is working with the Indonesian government and other stakeholders, including the private sector, so that they can include a gender perspective in planning the response to COVID-19.

"We are delighted to be able to strengthen our collaboration with UN Women and build a shared commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs through training programs and capacity building opportunities, as well as ensuring the safety of women on and off our platform," said Nila Marita, Chief of Corporate Affairs at Gojek.

Gojek initiatives that focus on women include Gojek Wirausaha, a capacity building program on business skills that has been attended by thousands of women entrepreneurs.

There is also Gojek Xcelerate Women Founders, an accelerator program that focuses on startups built by women; bystander intervention training with Hollaback! Jakarta to prevent sexual harassment, and a women's safety campaign across Indonesia.