Indonesian Companies Celebrate Gender Equality: A Triumph of the WEPs Awards!
Well, well, well! If it isn’t a bunch of extraordinary Indonesian companies stepping up to the plate in the name of women’s empowerment! TEMPO.CO, you’ve done it again with this riveting piece straight out of the ‘Can We Please Get Serious for a Moment?’ section of the news. As we dive into the wonderful world of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards Indonesia 2024, let’s take a moment to bask in the glow of 17 remarkable companies that have made it their mission to champion gender equality. The winners were announced after a nail-biting selection process involving 125 applications from 76 companies across seven categories. Yes, you heard that right—seventy-six companies! That’s a competition fierce enough to make Gladiators look like a tea party!
The WEPs Awards, ingeniously launched by UN Women back in 2020—and bless them for it—highlight businesses that not only wear their hearts on their sleeves but also integrate gender equality right into the fabric of their operations. This year had new categories—because why not spice it up a bit? You’ve got ‘Innovative Financing for Gender Equality’ and ‘Small Medium Enterprise Champion’ making their debut, drawing attention to an increasingly diverse approach for advancing equity. Just imagine the brainstorming session for that—I’m envisioning coffee cups flying and someone shouting, “Let’s toss in a few buzzwords!”
In the strong words of Arifatul Choiri Fauzi, Indonesia’s Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, “The struggle to realize gender equality cannot be done partially.” Well, if only my efforts to bake a perfect soufflé had such a rigorous approach! In a stunning twist, it seems that collaboration isn’t just today’s word of the day—it’s essential for inclusive development. It’s not just about saying, “Hey, women matter!” but actually proving it with actions. Apparently, it’s time for all parties involved—government, business, media, and community—to put on their best teamwork jerseys. Who would have thought the secret to inclusivity was less about boardroom battles and more about, you know, everyone playing nicely?
And here’s a round of applause for the fabulous Dwi Faiz, Officer in Charge for the UN Women Indonesia. Watching companies going, “Oh, gender equality? What a good idea!” is like seeing a light bulb go off over an inventor’s head! Faiz expressed, with optimism blooming faster than a well-watered plant, that companies are beginning to see gender equality as more than just a checkbox—it’s a vital part of their identity! Well-laughing and clapping emojis all around! The journey isn’t easy, but with awards like these, we’ve got plenty of reasons to be hopeful.
Let’s give a quick shoutout to our award winners! Out of the dizzying selection of creative contenders, PT Bank OCBC NISP Tbk. snagged the award for Leadership Commitment and Action, while PT Pertamina (Persero) Tbk. took home the trophy for Gender Inclusive Workplace. Evermos won for Gender Responsive Business Place—imagine creating a business that actually listens to its employees! Gold star for them! And PT Schneider Indonesia? They deserve a high five for Community Engagement and Partnership Cooperation. PT Amartha Mikro Fintek has scored with Transparency and Reporting, which honestly sounds like a good idea for all companies but particularly for ones dealing with finances—just saying! And let’s not forget PT Karya Kreasi Teknologi, our Small Medium Enterprise Champion. Bravo all around!
These awardees will now strut their stuff on the regional stage, gearing up to compete with other stars from the Asia-Pacific region. The winners will be crowned on December 3, 2024. Mark your calendars, folks! It’s bound to be a showstopper. Will they walk away with all the glory? Or will one of those competitors pull a surprise twist? It’s like watching a soap opera unfold but with fewer love triangles and more spreadsheets.
This year’s WEPs Awards were organized as part of UN Women’s gender action lab initiative—A dazzling concoction supported by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the European Union. The Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Penny Williams, expressed her dedication to gender equality, while EU Ambassador to Indonesia, Denis Chaibi, waxed lyrical about the financial benefits of embedding gender equality in business strategies. Who knew being fair could also be profitable? How about that for a win-win?
In summary, the WEPs Awards are backed by seven guiding principles aimed squarely at empowering women across all economic sectors. Picture this: since its inception, it has gathered the support of over 10,000 companies worldwide—including nearly 200 from Indonesia. They’re not just living the dream; they’re creating a paradigm shift toward a gender-equal world.
And there you have it, folks! A delightful blend of motivation, empowerment, and the sweet sound of progress in the name of equality. Let’s raise a glass—filled with whatever suits your fancy—to the brave endeavor of companies daring to be the change!
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – On October 30, the UN Women announced that 17 Indonesian companies have received recognition in the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards Indonesia 2024. These companies were honored for their innovative and impactful initiatives aimed specifically at promoting gender equality and empowering women.
The esteemed WEPs Awards, which debuted in 2020, are designed to highlight businesses committed to furthering gender equality not only within their workplaces but also in the community and marketplace at large. This year’s ceremony introduced exciting new categories such as ‘Innovative Financing for Gender Equality’ and ‘Small Medium Enterprise Champion,’ reflecting an evolving understanding of the various strategies necessary for advancing gender equity. The competition this year included a diverse array of applicants—from large corporations and state-owned enterprises to small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs).
Dwi Faiz, the Officer in Charge for UN Women’s Country Representative for Indonesia, expressed admiration for the businesses that have successfully integrated gender equality into their core operations. “Watching companies embrace gender equality as a fundamental principle, alongside their pursuit of profit, is truly encouraging,” Faiz remarked. She voiced her aspiration for even more enterprises to adopt the Women’s Empowerment Principles and actively contribute to achieving a gender-equal world.
The 2024 WEPs Awards Indonesia recognized notable leaders such as Parwati Surjaudaja, the President Director and CEO of PT Bank OCBC NISP Tbk., who received accolades for Leadership Commitment and Action. Meanwhile, PT Pertamina (Persero) Tbk. was acknowledged for fostering a Gender Inclusive Workplace; Evermos was recognized for establishing a Gender Responsive Business Environment; PT Schneider Indonesia was awarded for its Community Engagement and Partnership Cooperation; PT Amartha Mikro Fintek was honored for its Transparency and Reporting alongside Innovative Financing; and PT Karya Kreasi Teknologi took home the SME Champion title.
Winners of this year’s awards will continue to the regional level competition, pitting them against other commendable companies from the Asia-Pacific, with the final winners announced on December 3, 2024.
The WEPs Awards Indonesia for 2024 operated under the UN Women Gender Action Lab initiative, receiving invaluable backing from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, along with the European Union. Penny Williams PSM, the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, warmly congratulated the award recipients and reinforced Australia’s ongoing commitment to promoting gender equality. EU Ambassador to Indonesia, Denis Chaibi, added that incorporating gender equality into corporate practices is not only just but also a strategically profitable approach, urging businesses to create inclusive workplace environments.
The WEPs, a joint initiative established by UN Women in collaboration with the UN Global Compact, is based on seven guiding principles focused on the empowerment of women across all economic sectors. Since it was launched, the initiative has garnered significant support from over 10,000 companies worldwide, nearly 200 of which are from Indonesia, signifying an encouraging trend towards a gender-equal future.
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