Telkom Builds Inclusive Economic Future Through Women Empowerment in MSME Leadership
PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk is continuing to strengthen its commitment to promoting women’s empowerment through mentoring programmes and MSME development initiatives across various regions.
Through an integrated development ecosystem, including the Telkom BUMN House, the company aims to enhance the capacity of business operators, particularly women, so they can develop, adapt to digital developments, and expand market access both nationally and internationally.
These efforts are increasingly relevant given that MSMEs form the backbone of the national economy, with significant contributions to employment absorption and economic growth. The high participation of women as business operators in this sector makes strengthening women’s capacity and market access an important factor in driving a more inclusive economy.
Hery Susanto, Head of Telkom’s Social Responsibility, stated that as a leading digital telecommunications company, Telkom focuses not only on strengthening connectivity and technological transformation, but is also committed to optimising innovation to create genuine social and environmental impact.
He hopes that through this mentoring, every solution produced by women-led MSME entrepreneurs can have a strong sustainability model. “These strong women’s actions represent hope in maintaining natural balance whilst strengthening local economies for a better future,” Hery said in a statement on Monday (16 March 2026).
One example of a Telkom-supported women MSME operator is Dini Windu Asih, owner of the culinary business Mbrebes Milli, who joined Telkom’s MSME programme in January 2025. The community emerged from a longing for the warmth of home cooking.
The name Mbrebes Milli, which in Javanese describes tears flowing when cutting red onions, has transformed into a symbol of struggle and independence for a group of women at the village level.
As community leader, Dini actively encourages members to participate in the Telkom BUMN House ecosystem. Through a structured mentoring programme, women business operators receive comprehensive business curriculum training ranging from Go Modern, Go Digital, Go Online, to Go Global.
This mentoring not only enhances business capacity but also builds confidence among women MSME operators to expand markets through digital channels.
Women’s spirit of independence is also reflected through the Tano Puan initiative, a business owned by Siska Elvi Yunita which was selected as one of the best programmes in the 2025 Bumi Berseru Fest, an environmental action competition initiated by Telkom.
The name Tano Puan comes from the Batak language, meaning Tano (land) and Puan (woman), representing the role of women in sustainably protecting and managing the environment.
Drawing from personal experience as a victim of peatland conflict, Siska championed a sustainable entrepreneurship approach that empowers women as agents of change.
Through the Srikandi Purun Jaya group, women process purun plants into high-value ecocraft products whilst contributing to the preservation of peatland ecosystems.
These various empowerment initiatives also align with Telkom’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) implementation through the GoZero – Sustainability Action by Telkom Indonesia programme, particularly on the Social pillar, Empower our People, which focuses on digital-based empowerment programmes for communities.
Through its Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) programme, Telkom also continues to contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5 on gender equality.
By strengthening women’s role in MSME development, Telkom hopes to continue driving the creation of an inclusive economic ecosystem whilst delivering sustained social and environmental impact for communities.