The program, which comes in the form of mentoring and intensive entrepreneurship training for 75 women MSMEs and individuals with disabilities, is fully supported by the Indonesian National Commission for Disabilities (Komnas Disabilitas RI) and Unilever Indonesia.
In relations to Pancasila, social justice is a noble ideal where everyone has an equal chance to prosper - including by having an equal access to education, training, and decent livelihoods. Unfortunately, this condition is still not fully felt by women MSMEs, who according to BPS 2024 dominate the MSME population in Indonesia (64.5%)[a].
Nicky Clara, Founder of Alunjiva Indonesia said, “In the midst of a strong patriarchal culture, women MSMEs are faced with a double burden. First, women are still burdened with various domestic roles to take care of their households. The second is the stigma that women who are active in entrepreneurship are against social norms, and they are perceived to lack the necessary skills and experience to lead a business.”
“In addition, according to a Boston Consulting Group and Stellar Women study, they also have limited access to mentoring services (73%)[b], on top of other obstacles such as limited knowledge in running a business, to lack of access to networks or communities to share experiences.”
Even more complicated challenges are experienced by MSMEs managed by women with disabilities. Jonna Aman Damanik, Commissioner of Komnas Disabilitas RI explained, “While entrepreneurship is a great opportunity for them to be economically independent compared to obtaining a formal job, women MSMEs with disabilities still experience multiple discrimination due to their gender and disability conditions, putting them in a more vulnerable position. Moreover, mentors or role models from people with disabilities as well as inclusive entrepreneurship trainings are still very few.”
This situation encourages Alunjiva Indonesia as part of the Setara Berdaya Group to run a series of programs to increase the capacity and capability of individuals with disabilities in Indonesia through collaboration, education, empowerment, and an adequate support system. Until 2024, Setara Berdaya Group has empowered 62,450 women, disabilities, youth, and marginalized groups in various regions of Indonesia - specifically in the field of entrepreneurship, the support provided has succeeded in increasing the business turnover of the beneficiaries by an average of 30%.
This time Alunjiva Indonesia, fully supported by Indonesian National Commission for Disabilities (KND RI) and Unilever Indonesia, presents “SheAblepreneur”: an intensive mentoring and entrepreneurship training program for 75 women MSMEs and individuals with disabilities who want to develop expertise in the field of MSMEs, while shaping an environment that is more aware of individuals with disabilities.
Christina Agustin, A.Pi., M.M. as Assistant Deputy for Entrepreneurial Business Ecosystem, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises of the Republic of Indonesia stated, “We fully support the ‘SheAblepreneur’ initiative because it is in line with the Ministry of MSME's program in growing entrepreneurs and accelerating the achievement of the target to increase the entrepreneurship ratio in 2045 by 8%. To achieve this, we cannot walk alone, it takes cross-sector collaboration, synergy from upstream to downstream and real support from all parties for women and disabled entrepreneurs.”
“Therefore, we invite all parties to support this initiative and of course encourage the birth of new collaborations that have the same spirit. Because only with cross-sector collaboration, we can create a strong and inclusive business ecosystem, as a strong foothold towards Indonesia Emas 2045.”
Kristy Nelwan, Head of Communication and Chair of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) Board Unilever Indonesia responded, “Our collaboration in the ‘SheAblepreneur’ program is based on a shared mission to create a more equal, diverse and inclusive society. Moreover, the program’s goal is also very much in line with our three focuses of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion.”
“In terms of Gender Equity, we want to provide equal opportunities, fair treatment, and support that suits the unique abilities or needs of each woman; in terms of Equity for Individuals with Disabilities, we believe this program will create a disability-friendly society and open up equal opportunities for women with disabilities to prove their entrepreneurial abilities without hesitation; while for efforts to Eliminate Discrimination and Stigma, we provide fair opportunities for all women MSMEs, including those managed by friends of individuals with disabilities, to fight various forms of discrimination and stigma.”
To be held in Tangerang, Bandung and Yogyakarta during June - September 2025, the program aims to: Increase understanding and utilization of digital and business finance; Increase the value of gender equality in the community related to economic empowerment of women; Increase economic income for women and disabled MSMEs; Empower 80% of the total number of beneficiaries through capacity and capability development, and Provide access and internship opportunities for women with disabilities to work with women MSMEs.
In each city, the training will be attended by 15 women with disabilities/non-disabilities who want to further develop their MSME business (scaling up), and 10 women with disabilities who want to explore the world of entrepreneurship. The training, which will be done online and offline, presents a series of modules that are very adaptive and relevant to the needs of women and disabled MSME players to develop in the future, namely Business Model Canvas, Digital Literacy, Financial Literacy, and Social Media and AI Introduction.
“It is hoped that the 'SheAblepreneur' program will be able to contribute to creating social justice through a more inclusive MSME ecosystem by encouraging access and involvement of marginalized groups, especially women and individuals with disabilities, towards more equitable and sustainable economic growth,” Nicky concluded.