Strengthening the Role of Digital Kartini, Telkom Encourages Women's SMEs to Penetrate Wider Markets
In commemoration of Hari Kartini, PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk held the Kartini BISA Fest at Telkom Hub in South Jakarta from 20 to 24 April 2026. This event represents a strengthening of various strategic initiatives undertaken by the Telkom Group to support the empowerment of SME actors in Indonesia.
The presence of Kartini BISA Fest serves as a tangible manifestation in promoting women’s empowerment through enhancing business capacity and the utilisation and literacy of digital technology. The series of programmes and initiatives presented include training, facilitation of certification, and strengthening of product branding to increase the competitiveness of women’s SMEs in both domestic and global markets.
Telkom President Director Dian Siswarini stated that the commemoration of Hari Kartini provides an opportunity to draw on Kartini’s values of struggle and adapt them to the current all-digital life. “Therefore, it is important for us to continue learning, understanding, and utilising technology to create broader impacts,” she said.
The Kartini BISA Fest event represents the implementation of the company’s culture, where BISA stands for Bravery, Integrity, Service Excellence, Agility, placing collaboration and innovation as the main foundation.
In this series of activities, Telkom presents various integrated programmes, starting from a culinary bazaar involving 40 women’s SMEs, a cybersecurity seminar attended by more than 350 participants to increase awareness of data protection, to training on the utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) to support efficiency in creating creative content and digital marketing.
On the other hand, as a leading digital telco company, Telkom is committed to strengthening the role of women through sustainable Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) programmes. Of the total more than 112,000 mentored SMEs, 73,152 of them are women-led businesses actively participating in digital-based mentoring programmes. These efforts not only focus on enhancing individual capacity but also on creating an inclusive, collaborative digital ecosystem capable of driving sustainable economic growth.
Telkom also provides strategic support through the Packfest programme by distributing aid of 500,000 printed packaging units. In addition, the company facilitates free halal certification for 2,250 women’s SMEs. This initiative aims to strengthen aspects of branding and product legality, so that SMEs not only excel in creativity but also meet the standards required to compete in modern and international markets.
Such support also reaches SME actors with disabilities as part of Telkom’s commitment to providing equal access and ensuring that digital transformation can be felt by all layers of society. With an inclusive approach, Telkom encourages the creation of a business ecosystem that is not only productive but also just and sustainable.
As part of the series of activities, Dian also symbolically handed over halal certification assistance and packaging grants to representatives of mentored SMEs. This handover serves as a tangible manifestation of the company’s support in encouraging Indonesian women to continue developing their capacities, daring to seize opportunities, and maximising their potential in facing the dynamics of the digital era.
Women have a strategic role as drivers of the national economy as well as promoters of a resilient and inclusive business ecosystem. Data from the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Kemenkomdigi) for 2025 records that 64.5 percent or around 37 million SME actors in Indonesia are run by women.
However, behind this great potential, there are still challenges in terms of legality and product standardisation. Data from the Halal Product Assurance Organising Agency (BPJPH) for 2025 shows that only around 35 percent of SMEs have halal certification, which is an important factor in increasing consumer trust and expanding market access.
Dian reaffirmed the company’s commitment to promoting SME empowerment through the utilisation of digital technology. She said that as a technology company, Telkom has a responsibility to expand access and improve digital literacy across all layers of society.
“Our focus on SME mentoring is part of those efforts. Through digitalisation and standardisation, we hope that mentored SME actors not only grow independently but are also able to create broader economic impacts for their surroundings,” Dian explained.
More than just a celebration, Kartini BISA Fest is a tangible implementation of Telkom’s strategy in building a competitive and inclusive digital ecosystem. This programme aligns with the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly goal 5 (Gender Equality) and goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Through various integrated initiatives, Telkom is committed to continuing to accompany Indonesian women to become more empowered, innovative, and capable of contributing to strengthening the national economic foundation as well as driving inclusive and sustainable digital growth.