VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

A craftswoman paints a bag at a home industry in Gelam village, Candi, Sidoarjo, East Java. (ANTARA FOTO/Umarul Faruq/hp.)

The development of home-based industries can add value to women’s role in the economy, the deputy governor of Bank Indonesia (BI) has said.

BI deputy governor Destry Damayanti wrote in DRI’s Pulse Check Special Edition Danareksa on Friday that The home industry development can add very significant value, if well-managed. 

Home-based industries are expected to boost family incomes as well as foster self-confidence in women. The home industry program, which is being conducted in 21 districts and towns, is a leading program that has been prepared by the government to improve women’s access to the economy and push past any limitations placed on them. 

Detailing the benefits of home-based industries, Damayanti said 70 percent of workers in such industries are women, 53 percent of home industries are located in rural areas, 70 percent manufacture food products, and more than 50 percent of home-based enterprises are ultramicro-scale businesses employing one-three people from the same family. 

She highlighted that there is no critical obstacle to women playing a bigger role in the national economy. Women, she said, should be able to collaborate with anyone and adapt to a very fast-changing era.

Moreover, social stigmas which put greater limitations on women than men still exist and remain a challenge for women to meetMany Indonesian women have made noteworthy achievements, built a reputation, and have been acknowledged as influential persons in the economy, even on international platforms, such as Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, who formerly served as managing director of World Bank, and International Affairs Minister, Retno Marsudi, she said. They are a great source of inspiration for women//ANT