Following the online training sessions in July, today’s first offline training session was attended by 25 participants from the Jakarta metropolitan area, with similar activities planned for two other cities, Bandung and Yogyakarta. Supported by the Indonesian National Commission for Disabilities (Komnas Disabilitas RI) and Unilever Indonesia, the training covers key topics aimed at enhancing the capabilities of women entrepreneurs and enterpreneurs with disabilities to foster a more inclusive MSME ecosystem.
Every August 12, National MSME Day is celebrated to draw attention to the tens of millions of micro, small, and medium enterprises that serve as the heartbeat of Indonesia's economy. More than that, this moment is a call to look deeper: how we can build a truly inclusive MSME ecosystem where every business, without exception, has the same opportunity to grow and develop.
It is a fact that many marginalized groups, especially women and individuals with disabilities, do not dare to start and run MSME businesses due to stereotypes that women lack focus in running a business, or the stigma that those with disabilities are less able to work productively[a]. Even when the courage does arise, the majority of women-owned businesses, especially those owned by citizens with disabilities, still find it difficult to grow due to limited access to mentors, networks, or capital[b].
Nicky Clara, Founder of Alunjiva Indonesia, explained, "The ‘SheAblepreneur’ program aims to be part of the solution. We want to provide a space where women and individuals with disabilities are ‘allowed’ to dream so that they can move forward and make real changes. In collaboration with the Indonesian National Commission for Disabilities (Komnas Disabilitas RI) and Unilever Indonesia, this program is designed to support female entrepreneurs, including women with disabilities, to develop businesses that are more competitive, sustainable, and socially impactful.”
Launched last June, the program has received 182 applicants residing in three cities Tangerang, Bandung, and Yogyakarta. After being screened and interviewed, this program selected 75 women-owned MSMEs and individuals with disabilities who met the requirements and were ready to receive intensive mentoring. Last July, they participated in online training with four main modules: (1) Fundamentals of business development and the bmc (business model canvas), (2) Leveraging digital platforms and social media for business growth, (3) Financial literacy, and (4) Introduction to AI.
Nicky continued, "Through online training, several key challenges commonly faced by the majority of businesses were identified, namely issues in team management — from allocating roles and responsibilities, suboptimal internal communication, insufficient team member engagement, to marketing strategy issues, particularly regarding how to introduce products to a broader target market, increase brand awareness, and effectively use digital and offline channels."
To help participants overcome these challenges, an offline advanced training session was held using the design thinking method. Through this training, participants were expected to understand how to implement more structured team management strategies, including role distributions, communication, and member motivation; develop and execute marketing strategies that are more relevant, creative, and tailored to the characteristics of their businesses; and develop short- and long-term action plans for team building and marketing.
Kristy Nelwan, Head of Communication and Chair of the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) Board at Unilever Indonesia, said, “Unilever Indonesia’s support and involvement in the ‘SheAblepreneur’ program is driven by a shared mission to create a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive business world. The ‘SheAblepreneur’ program empowers female SME entrepreneurs and all people with disabilities, and women with disabilities—groups that often face multiple barriers in developing their businesses. This aligns with our three ED&I pillars: gender equality, equality for individuals with disabilities, and the elimination of discrimination and stigma.”
“In today's training, Unilever Indonesia employees were directly involved as trainers. The brand team presented material on branding, marketing, and digital marketing strategies while the HR team shared tips on team management and recruitment techniques. We believe that these insights will serve as practical knowledge for participants to start or develop their businesses while also dispelling the stigmas they often face.”
Offline training will continue in the next two cities, Bandung and Yogyakarta, with 25 participants in each city. At the same time, during August, the program will provide opportunities for female participants with disabilities to enrich their experience by interning at several selected MSMEs for one month.
“We hope that the entire ‘SheAblepreneur’ program can serve as a catalyst to build a more equitable and inclusive MSME ecosystem. We believe that, by opening access and strengthening the abilities of marginalized groups, we can spur economic growth that is not only larger, but also more equitable and sustainable,” concluded Nicky.