W20 MSME Expo: Women and MSMEs as Strategic Drivers of Economic Recovery
Empowering women for gender-responsive action is the main thing as the role of leaders and policy makers. That is the main goal of Women20 (W20).
W20 is an engagement group for women's organizations focused on development, gender equality, inclusive growth and women's cooperation in the international economic sector.
To support women in the economic sector, alumni associations from various schools such as IKA Unpad, IKA Unpar, Iluni UI, ITB and UPI held the W20 MSME Expo "Recover Stronger Through Empowerment and Inclusive Collaboration of Small and Medium (SMEs)" in the Building Parking Area. Sate, Sunday 6 November 2022.
The event was also supported by the Mayor of Bandung, Yana Mulyana. He expressed his gratitude for the city of Bandung as the host in a series of W20 activities.
"This (activity) is in the form of MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) Expo. Because we know that MSMEs are one of the groups that are resistant to pandemics, crises and so on," said Yana.
After the pandemic, Yana continued, W20 encouraged MSMEs, especially women, to be able to take a role in accelerating economic recovery.
"After the COVID-19 pandemic, W20 encourages women MSMEs to be able to take part in accelerating economic recovery," he said.
"Based on what the committee said from 200 MSMEs, there will be a curation of 20 MSME players who will be given capital facilities, up to grade level. Later, they will be brought into various activities next year to India, Brazil and South Africa," Yana said.
In the city of Bandung, Yana said, 70 percent of MSME actors are dominated by women.
"In fact, there are more women, the MSMEs are 70 percent," Yana added.
In the same place, Chairwoman Of W20 Indonesia, Hadriani Uli Silalahi explained, there are 4 main priority issues in this year's W20 agenda.
Among other things, promoting equality and eliminating discrimination. Encouraging an inclusive economy that supports women's MSMEs.
Addressing women's vulnerability, prioritizing improving the resilience of women with disabilities and rural women in terms of access to education, technology and finance. Finally, to encourage equity in health services.
"We have priority issues, firstly discrimination, economic inclusion, rural women and disabilities as well as health. In economic inclusion, it is good for MSMEs to stand alone in rural areas," he said.
"MSMEs are an important spearhead, it is so important for women to be the backbone of the family. So they immediately have bilateral countries with W20, one of which is Italy," he explained.
Meanwhile, Assistant Deputy for Business Consulting and Mentoring, Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, Destri Annasari said that the role of women is important in responding to current challenges.
"This is important to answer the challenges for MSME actors, women need a strong synergy, assisted by the government, business, profession, media and academic sectors. Women have great resource power which empowers women," he explained.
The chairman of IKA Unpad, Ira Hermawan said, the purpose of this alumni association was to promote MSMEs in Indonesia. 6 alumni associations will collaborate to advance SMEs that are able to run.
"We will encourage them to sell both export and international. We encourage them to propose to the government that Indonesian MSMEs are one of the driving forces of the government's vision," he said. (yes)**
Head of the Bandung City Communication and Information Technology
Yayan A. Brilyana
