Women are capable of becoming the instruments of public empowerment by functioning as resilient agents in entrepreneurial development, Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Minister Teten Masduki stated.

“The Womenpreneurs Indonesia Networks (WIN) is expected to strengthen the entrepreneurial business ecosystem conducted by women,” he noted through a press statement on Monday.

“As a result, it could increase women’s participation within the national economic structure as well as the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he remarked while unveiling the WIN online.

This is since the number of entrepreneurs within a nation indicates its level of advancement, he expounded.

Moreover, it was said that 50 percent of the micro and small businesses are run by women.

Meanwhile, 34 percent of medium businesses, 56 percent of small businesses, and 52 percent of micro businesses in Indonesia are owned by women.

However, women encounter several challenges if they were keen to become entrepreneurs.

In detail, 36 percent lack the financial access, 30 percent lack the confidence, 32 percent lack the information to start business, and 26 percent cannot find the location to run their businesses.

“To this end, support to turn the idea that women have into a successful business is necessary,” the minister remarked.

The first form of support is access to accurate digital hardware. The second revolves around support and advise on customer service.

The third concerns network and community while the last one relates to financial or funding access.

WIN, held by the International Council for Small Business/ICSB, is a collective platform that will empower Indonesian women entrepreneurs in developing their businesses as well as physical and mental health.

ICSB is a global non-profit organization that aims to promote the development of small businesses around the world.

Source: Antara News