LENTERA Programme Boosts Job Readiness for Underprivileged Young Women in Banten

The Bulir Padi Foundation (YBP) has officially expanded its empowerment reach beyond Jakarta through the launch of the LENTERA (Leadership and Empowerment for Women) Programme. In collaboration with local partner Yayasan Maleo, this initiative focuses on upskilling and enhancing job readiness for young women from underprivileged families in Banten Province.

The programme launch coincides with World Youth Skills Day, with 20 underprivileged young women in Tangerang selected as the first cohort of beneficiaries. This step serves as a direct response to significant employment challenges in the region. According to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) as of August 2025, Banten Province faces serious unemployment issues, with the Open Unemployment Rate (TPT) for the working-age population (15 years and above) ranking 4th nationally. This situation is exacerbated by high NEET (Not in Employment, Education, and Training) rates, particularly among women.

The high rate of NEET among young women, which is nearly double that of men, poses a risk of trapping them in a cycle of intergenerational poverty. To break this structural gap, YBP and Maleo are specifically targeting vocational high school (SMK) graduates from underprivileged families.

Tia Sutresna, Chairperson of the Bulir Padi Foundation, stated that the LENTERA Programme is a strategic step towards facilitating life-changing transformations. “The combination of minimal job skills and limited education that aligns with market needs creates a cycle that is difficult to break without targeted intervention,” she said.

The partnership between YBP and Maleo aims to create a safe space for young women to grow and build positive networks. This approach ensures that participants possess not only technical abilities but also the confidence to become economically independent. The expansion into Tangerang, Banten, marks a new chapter in YBP’s journey, which began in 2002 in Palmerah. For over two decades, the foundation’s operational areas have expanded to include Bidaracina (2015), Marunda (2021), Kramat Jati (2024), and now extends beyond Jakarta to reach more communities in need.