YOGYAKARTA, FEBRUARY 24, 2025. PT XL Axiata Tbk (XL Axiata), through its women empowerment program Sisternet, in collaboration with the Republic of Indonesia's Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (KemenPPPA), officially launched the SheInspire Sinergi Berdaya: Bersinar Bangkit Bersama program to build a shared future for female inmates. The program aims to support the economic empowerment of female inmates in ten Women's Correctional Facilities (Lapas Perempuan) throughout Indonesia by providing them with entrepreneurial skills, digital literacy, and psychosocial support to help them reintegrate into society after they are released from prison.
The training program held at the Women’s Correctional Facility Class IIB Yogyakarta on Monday (Feb 24) was attended by Dian Siswarini, President Director & CEO of XL Axiata, Amurwani Dwi Lestariningsih, Deputy for Gender Equality at KemenPPPA, Meriam Katombo, Director of HR Corporate Wings Group and representative of WINGS Peduli Foundation, Dr. Ceno Hersusetyo Kartiko, Director of Community Guidance at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, and Lili S.H., M.H., Head of the DIY Directorate General of Corrections Office.
The Minister of PPPA, Arifah Fauzi, stated, "I greatly appreciate this initiative, as social reintegration for female inmates is an enormous challenge, particularly in combating stigma and discrimination in society. By providing them with skills that not only promote economic independence but also help them regain their confidence and self worth so they can contribute to society again, this program acts as a bridge of hope. We hope that more businesses and organisations will be motivated to join the fight for women's empowerment by this campaign. Female prisoners can have a better, more economically independent future with the correct assistance and intervention.”
Meanwhile, Dian Siswarini underlined the business dedication to empowering women through skill development and technology. "We believe every woman, even those incarcerated, have enormous ability to succeed and create a better future. In order to better prepare them for the challenges that will arise after their release, we hope that this program will provide them with practical skills in digitalisation and entrepreneurship. Due to social stigma and restricted access to economic prospects, many women who are released from prison find it difficult to adjust to society. This program offers a thorough strategy that addresses social networks, self confidence, and skills that facilitate their reintegration.”
Dian added that the training program includes four measurable objectives. First, giving ex-offenders extensive training to improve their entrepreneurial skills so they can start their own business. Second, strengthening their self-confidence through workshops and inspiration sessions to get them ready for social and professional environments. Third, promoting social networks by offering chances to get in touch with enterprises, entrepreneurial communities, and mentors. Fourth, offering individuals social and moral support as they deal with difficulties following their release.
Meriam Katombo, Director of HR Corporate Wings Group and spokesperson of the WINGS Peduli Foundation, stated, "Everyone has the same potential to develop and transform into their best version. especially women, who are crucial in determining the destiny of their family and those around them. This shared spirit with XL Axiata is the foundation of our collaboration to create a better life through community empowerment in the areas of environment, health, education, and humanitarianism.”
Implementation at 10 Women Correctional Facilities
The SheInspire Sinergi Berdaya program will be implemented in nine additional women's correctional facilities across various cities, including Tangerang, Medan, Bandung, Lampung, Lombok, Kerobokan, and Makassar. KemenPPPA and XL Axiata assessed the needs and readiness of each correctional institution's facilities before selecting these locations.
This program includes two types of training, soft skills and hard skills, which are aimed to provide participants with comprehensive capabilities. The online soft skills course covers public speaking, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and mental health. Meanwhile, the hard skills session, which takes place in person, focusses on practical training such as baking and cake marketing, as well as fabric based decorative techniques with a high market value known as tufting. Participants in this mix of training are encouraged to develop not just technical capabilities, but also mental readiness and managerial competencies to support their eventual economic independence.
Amiek Diyah Ambarwati, Head of the Women's Correctional Facility Class IIB Yogyakarta, stated that through this training program, female inmates are expected to learn new skills that would help them adjust to society and have a good impact on their future life. These training programs also help to improve their mental health and self-confidence.
Amiek thanked the Minister of PPPA and XL Axiata for caring and supporting the inmates, notably at the Yogyakarta Women's Correctional Facility, by providing training and support. We hope that with this program, inmates will acquire the skills and resources needed to return to society and benefit both their families and the broader community.
This program runs until May 2025 and focuses on short-term incubator training. To ensure sustainability and effectiveness, each correctional facility will assign a mentor to advise and guide participants after the program has ended. Furthermore, XL Axiata is dedicated not only to offering training but also to developing an ecosystem that will support their enterprises' long-term viability. Digital technology will play an important role in providing them with access to larger markets and job prospects.
The program, as part of the company's sustainability initiative and corporate social responsibility, also supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including gender equality (SDG 5), increasing women's capacity for entrepreneurship and economic independence, decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), and building partnerships for goal achievement (SDG 17), through collaboration between the government and the private sector to create broader social impact.
The SheInspire program has a beneficial impact by giving female inmates actual opportunities for rebuilding their lives. Participants will benefit from improved skills and competencies in entrepreneurship and digital marketing, preparation for social reintegration through self-confidence building and mental readiness, psychosocial support to face life challenges, and access to business networks and communities to increase their chances of business success.
With various advantages provided, this program is a tangible step towards assisting female inmates in returning to society with skills, confidence, and expanded economic possibilities. The collaboration between XL Axiata and KemenPPPA, and supported by the WINGS Peduli Foundation, is expected to continue and have a larger effect on empowering women in Indonesia.