PNM Mekaar Helps Seamstress Support Five Families with a Single Sewing Machine

Surabaya - The number of women acting as heads of households or primary breadwinners in Indonesia continues to rise. More than 16 per cent of households now depend on women as the backbone of the family. This data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reflects a reality that demands inclusive financing access to support women’s struggles. A real-life story is experienced by Utari, a 58-year-old woman residing in Panjang Jiwo, Surabaya. In 2019, her husband suffered an accident causing serious injuries that left him unable to work, precisely when the Covid-19 pandemic hit Indonesia. In a desperate situation, she utilised the only skill she possessed—sewing—to survive. “At that time, I was confused about where to borrow capital. Then I heard information about PNM Mekaar. A neighbour said, ‘Just try Mekaar.’ I remember asking, what is Mekaar?” Utari said. Starting with financing from PNM Mekaar amounting to Rp 2 million in 2019, where Rp 1 million was used to buy a second-hand sewing machine and the rest for raw materials, Utari now manages a souvenir bag business with orders coming from various regions. She has even been able to send both her children through university. Now, seven years on, Utari’s loan has grown to Rp 8 million, and she has been able to create jobs for four seamstresses in her neighbourhood. Today, five family breadwinners work hand in hand in the production process, proving that empowering one woman can mobilise the economy around her. PNM President Director Kindaris witnessed firsthand Utari’s struggle as a housewife who managed to rise from ground zero and become an independent entrepreneur. Kindaris emphasised that this is the true meaning of PNM’s empowerment. “Growth is not merely about numbers, but about the increasing number of underprivileged women who have the opportunity to rise, do business, and improve their families’ lives. Utari is living proof that capital provided in the right way not only changes one person’s life but also opens opportunities for those around her,” he said. Utari’s story reflects the real impact of the PNM Mekaar programme, which by 2026 has served more than 23 million customers across 36 provinces. Of that data, 74 per cent reported an increase in income and 90 per cent felt the impact of financial independence after joining. Utari experienced how PNM Mekaar is not merely a loan provider, but an empowerment companion that offers marketing training, product strengthening, and digital literacy. “Never stop trying and praying, and manage your finances well,” was Utari’s message to fellow entrepreneurs. It is a simple message from a woman who once stood at the lowest point in her life but has now proven that the courage to start, no matter how small, is the first step towards change.