Malang, (malangkota.go.id) – The Malang City Government (Pemkot) collaborates with the Averroes Community to encourage women to become more empowered through the Women Economic Development Academy (WEDA) program.
The Chairperson of the Malang City Dekranasda, Widayati Sutiaji, S.Sos., MM was one of the speakers in the Forum Group Discussion (FGD) and socialization of the WEDA program in the Srikandi Room, Kartini Building, Monday (12/8/2022).
Widayati gave appreciation and supported the activities that are part of the effort to strengthen the role of women in the economic sector. She hopes that all micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) who participate in this program can improve their skills to develop their businesses.
"Hopefully the businesses run by the mothers will continue to progress and be successful. Everyone here is a business person, let's strengthen communication. So that we can share or exchange knowledge and experience," said Widayati.
He further added that economic growth in Malang City amid the pandemic is supported by MSMEs run by Malang City mothers. With efforts to improve skills such as utilizing digital platforms, it is hoped that MSMEs can further develop their businesses.
"The hope is to improve the ability of human resources or craftsmen, develop quality Malang City craft products starting from planning when making products, their targets, what kind of packaging and others to the implementation of what we have planned. So that it is ready to compete at the city, regional, national and even international levels," he added.
Meanwhile, WEDA Program Manager from the Averroes Community, Mujtaba, M.Si said that this activity was motivated by the many female workers who were affected by the pandemic to the point of losing or even having difficulty finding work. So that through the WEDA program, it is hoped that the skills of MSME actors can be improved in developing their businesses by utilizing digital platform technology.
"Such as using social media or marketplaces to develop their businesses. Our target is both experienced and new MSMEs so they can share knowledge or learn from each other," he explained.
Mujtaba added that the WEDA program will run until February 2023 with 50 MSMEs in Malang City who will participate in mentoring ranging from training activities to small group learning. On this occasion, MSMEs also received materials from the Cooperatives, Industry and Trade Service (Diskopindag) such as about branding and marketing development that can be strengthened through online branding and others. Diskopindag also provides facilities for all MSMEs including Business License Numbers (NIB), Intellectual Property Rights (HAKI), Household Industry Food (PIRT), halal certification, and others. (eka/ram)
