Women’s Youthpreneur: Sustainable Investments for a Sustainable Economic Resilience
“Do not only excel in terms of quantity, but also in terms of quality, both physically, skills, character, discipline, and mastery of science and technology.”
- Joko Widodo, Indonesia’s President 2019-2024
In the vibrant archipelago of Indonesia, the seeds of economic resilience are sown in the fertile ground of youth entrepreneurship. Defined as the active engagement of young individuals in creating and managing businesses, youth entrepreneurship is a beacon of innovation and progress. Let’s take a look at the dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship, focusing on the crucial role women play in fostering economic resilience. The demographic bonus of Indonesia, coupled with the energetic involvement of its youth, creates a unique canvas upon which the story of Women’s Youthpreneurship unfolds.
INDONESIA EMAS 2045: YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN INDONESIA
In 2045, the vision for “Indonesia Emas 2045” entails the country achieving superiority and advancement to effectively compete on the global stage. The goal is to achieve developed nation status with a per capita income exceeding $12,616. Recognising the substantial percentage of our population comprised of young individuals, particularly women, this vision is designed to harness the potential of this demographic bonus as a driving force for sustainable economic resilience. Indonesia will experience a demographic bonus with the productive age population reaching 68.3% of the total population in the 2030s. This shows that Indonesia has the potential to utilise the bonus demographic to fulfil the nation’s economic resilience. Therefore, the government has put into the National Long-Term Development Plan (RPJN) 2025-2045, which is known as the goal of realising a Golden Indonesia.
Indonesia’s youthful population emerges as a paramount asset on the path to realizing the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045. Endowed with passion, energy, and innovative ideas, the youth embody the catalyst for transformative positive change. Their dynamic presence propels an all-encompassing entrepreneurship ecosystem, fostering inclusivity. The aspiration is to enhance the involvement of every segment of the youth population, encompassing those in impoverished, disabled, and rural communities. Through the promotion of inclusive entrepreneurship, the goal is to elevate the overall contribution of the youth and elevate the competitive edge of Indonesia’s human resources.
OVERCOMING OBSTACLES: CHALLENGES IN WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP
As the sun rises over the Indonesian horizon, it illuminates the challenges faced by women in the realm of youth entrepreneurship. These challenges, though formidable, do not deter the determined spirits of women who navigate gender biases, limited access to funding, and societal expectations. In this unfolding tale, the importance of sustainability becomes a guiding principle. The need for sustainable practices and business investment becomes evident as women navigate the intricacies of youth entrepreneurship. It becomes clear that sustainable investments are not merely a choice but a necessity, paving the way for businesses that stand the test of time.
Women frequently encounter impediments that impact the sustainability of their enterprises. Among these challenges is the substantial household burden, wherein women are tasked with managing both domestic responsibilities and childcare alongside their business endeavours. Additionally, hurdles manifest in the form of restricted access to entrepreneurship training, a limited grasp of digital technology applications, and obstacles in securing capital from formal financial institutions. Moreover, women often grapple with a lack of autonomy in decision-making, necessitating approval from their husbands for business matters. Asset ownership poses another constraint, with most household assets registered in the husband’s name, creating a challenge in obtaining essential collateral when seeking bank loans.
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES IN THE ECOSYSTEM EMPOWERMENT
The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (Kemen PPPA) has identified three primary challenges faced by women MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) in Indonesia:
Influence of Patriarchal Social Constructs
Insufficient infrastructure, limited access to technology, and barriers to women’s technological proficiency
Low levels of financial literacy and inclusion among women
To address these issues, the government is actively promotes women’s empowerment in the entrepreneurship sector through comprehensive policies. The National Strategy for Women’s Financial Inclusion is one such initiative aimed at enhancing women’s access to formal financial services. This strategy targets the reinforcement of capital access to formal financial services. This strategy targets the reinforcement of capital access, business development support, and increased availability of digital financial products and services for women.
“The large number of women and children determines the success of development given their position as actors as well as beneficiaries of development results.”
- I Gusti Ayu Bintang Puspayoga, Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection
Furthermore, the Ministry of PPPA has implemented a women’s entrepreneurship program known as the “Pelatihan Kewirausahaan Berperspektif Gender”. This program encompasses training modules covering leadership, entrepreneurship, financial literacy and inclusion, as well as technology and digital literacy for business development. The program operates through a collaborative effort involving various sectors, including state-owned enterprises, the private sector, central and local governments, and non-governmental organisations.
INKURI: FOSTERING WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP IN BUSINESS
Photo of two women entrepreneurs in Lestari Market Day, INKURI program
Amidst this vibrant tapestry, a special chapter is dedicated by the Pratisara Bumi Foundation through the INKURI (Inkubator Usaha Lestari) program. This program, a guardian for women-led businesses, takes centre stage. The program is designed as a catalyst for empowerment, specifically to uplift and support women entrepreneurs. Through the INKURI program, PBF commits to nurturing the dreams and aspirations of women in the world of youth entrepreneurship. Rasa Bali stands as a testament to the program’s commitment to empowering and uplifting women-led businesses, particularly in the context of Balinese rich culinary heritage.
Photo of Sintya, Founder of Rasa Bali in Scale Green Event, INKURI
Meet Sintya! She’s the founder of Rasa Bali. Since January 2023, she established Rasa Bali inspired by the spirit, dedication, and hard work of the community around her home. Her role as an educator at a Bali-based international learning centre, Sintya’s fascination with traditional cuisine, cultural nuances, and indigenous wisdom creates avenues for delving into the concept of Future Food. Her objective is to acquaint individuals with the richness of flood diversity and local insights, particularly within the context of Indonesia, with a special emphasis on Bali. Through the platform of Rasa Bali, Sintya endeavours to connect the community’s enthusiasm for agriculture with the legacy of Balinese traditional spices, presenting them for broader enjoyment. Rasa Bali remains committed to fostering community involvement throughout the production cycle, promoting not only the production but also sustainable consumption practices within the community.