PNM Mekaar Clients to Represent Women Entrepreneurs in 2026 Economic Census

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (Kemen PPPA), and PT Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM) have officially launched a collaboration for the 2026 Economic Census (SE2026) under the theme ‘Together with Empowered Women to Build the Indonesian Economy’. This activity marks the initial step in a synergy between the three institutions to capture the real contribution of ultra-micro women entrepreneurs in the national economic structure, while strengthening future women’s empowerment policies. According to BPS data, the female labour force participation rate in Indonesia has now reached approximately 56 percent, with around 32 percent of these women being entrepreneurs, a growing trend that positions women as important drivers of the family and national economy. The 2026 Economic Census is the fifth economic census conducted by BPS and will take place from May to August 2026 across 38 provinces and 514 regencies/cities throughout Indonesia. The collaboration with Kemen PPPA and PNM is considered strategic because it directly targets the customer base of PNM Mekaar, the majority of whom are ultra-micro women entrepreneurs in various remote areas. Through accurate and up-to-date data from this census, the three institutions hope to formulate more targeted economic empowerment policies for women in the future. Minister of PPPA, Arifatul Choiri Fauzi, expressed deep appreciation for the clients. ‘Mekaar mothers are family heroes and national heroes. We must appreciate these women who will not stay silent when it comes to family matters; they will do their best,’ she said. Echoing this sentiment, Head of BPS, Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, highlighted the real role of Mekaar clients as a representation of empowered women in Indonesia. ‘These Mekaar mothers are examples of empowered women and contributors to Indonesia’s economic wheel. The participation rate of women in the workforce, including entrepreneurs, has also increased to 56 percent, and 32 percent of them are entrepreneurs, examples of which are these Mekaar mothers,’ she stated. Through this launch, BPS, Kemen PPPA, and PNM are committed to ensuring that the 2026 Economic Census data truly represents the contribution of ultra-micro women entrepreneurs across Indonesia, so that subsequent empowerment policies are more accurate, inclusive, and pro-women. This collaboration is also expected to become a model for cross-ministerial and institutional cooperation in encouraging Indonesian women to be more empowered and economically independent. PNM President Director, Kindaris, revealed the importance of this cross-agency collaboration. ‘Collaboration between agencies is significant because women are the backbone of the family and the driving wheel of the economy and the nation,’ said Kindaris.