Micro and small businesses are facing unprecedented challenges brought about by the COVID-19 crisis. This is particularly true in Indonesia, where 99 per cent of businesses are micro, small and medium enterprises. Indonesian women play a critical role in the economy as owners and managers in micro and small businesses. To cope with the effects of the pandemic, they are leveraging the benefits that digitization has to offer. More and more micro and small businesses are now using digital platforms, such as Gojek, Grab and others, to find customers, carry out transactions and deliver products. The use of these platforms is helping these micro and small businesses survive and even expand, but the challenges faced by men and women differ. To find out, UN Women partnered with Pulse Lab Jakarta and Gojek to analyze big data, survey data and qualitative data.
Read the report: Leveraging digitalization to cope with COVID-19: An Indonesia case study on women-owned micro and small businesses
Enter the characteristics of your business below to see how similar Indonesian micro and small businesses are faring.
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EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC ON BUSINESSES LIKE YOURS
SOME PERSPECTIVES
75.3%
9.7%
31.3%
23.7%
1.6%
WOMAN
As the single operator of my food business, I manage every aspect of it, from sourcing supplies, to production, sales and marketing. And I do all of this while juggling household responsibilities such as taking care of children.
I’m usually the one focusing on production because I am the one with the cooking skills, without which there would be no business. My husband or other family members may help me in other way, and most of the time, I consult with my husband before making big decisions. But in the end, I am the one with all the responsibility and make the final calls.
Using a digital platform helps me broaden my customer network. But the most valuable part is that it helped me launch my business without large capital, which avoids burdening my family.
The pandemic hit businesses like mine really hard, especially those located far from the city center. I try to cope by catering to the preference of my customers on the digital platform – for instance, I have adjusted the menu and extended my hours of operation. Advice from my husband and eldest child have been helpful because they are more aware of new business trends. Besides working on my business, my responsibilities at home have increased during the pandemic, as my youngest is always at home and I need to oversee remote learning.
XX%
XX%
XX%
XX%
XX%
MAN
I am now running a business in the food sector, having previously worked a full-time formal job. I am the sole manager of my business and make all the decisions on daily operations. My wife is also involved in the process, focusing on production since she is a better cook. With her partnership, I am able to focus more on managing customer relations, marketing and building strategies to enhance the performance of my business.
I’m usually the one focusing on production because I am the one with the cooking skills, without which there would be no business. My husband or other family members may help me in other way, and most of the time, I consult with my husband before making big decisions. But in the end, I am the one with all the responsibility and make the final calls.
Since the pandemic, I have been getting fewer orders from customers. I have tried adding new items to the menu as part of my coping strategy. As a result, I have managed to increase my orders again. Even though revenues haven’t bounced back fully, I am optimistic that things will get better.
spend less money on food, leisure, clothes
eat less or ask their family to eat less
cut expenses on communications
chose not to see a doctor when needed
At lease one child in household had to drop out of school
