Asia
SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
Asia
For SDG8, Decent Work and Economic Growth, we travel to Jakarta, Indonesia to feature technology trailblazer Shinta Dhanuwardoyo, and her mentorship of Cita Tenun International (CTI). Shinta’s philosophy is that technology empowers women—and when women mentor other women/girls, giving them spaces to dream, experiment, and expand, they change the future. CTI is a woman-owned organization preserving Indonesian textile traditions. Entrepreneurs like CTI show it is possible to preserve valuable aspects of traditional culture while also creating new jobs, networks, and learning opportunities relevant and appealing to younger generations entering the workforce. Historically, colonizers prohibited tenun weaving, a symbol of Indonesian identity. Shinta and CTI use technology to spread awareness of this cultural legacy and carry forth ancient traditions in new ways. In an age where elder wisdom competes with the Internet, sharing these stories encourages more creative collaborations in the future.
"Technology empowers women. When we mentor other women and girls in technology, giving them spaces to dream, experiment, and expand, we change the future. We generate decent work opportunities for all. We dream a better world into being."
-Shinta Dhanuwardoyo, CEO of BUBU.com
Shinta Dhanuwardoyo has worked tirelessly to advance technology in Indonesia since founding Bubu.com and still serves as the company's CEO. Since its inception in 1996, her company has impacted Indonesia's digital landscape in countless ways. Shinta is recognized by Globe Asia as one of the “99 Most Powerful Women,” and also named on the “Inspiring Women Honor Roll” by Forbes Indonesia Magazine. She also mentors a number of individual and small business entrepreneurs.
Cita Tenun Indonesia (CTI) was established in 2008 by a group of women who had a shared passion for tenun. Specific to Indonesia, tenun is an artisan technique for making handwoven fabric on a traditional loom. The materials and design motifs represent characteristics of each region within the Indonesian archipelago. Made mostly by women, tenun is an important part of Indonesia's original cultural heritage that is still maintained and preserved to this day. With mentoring support from Shinta, CTI has become a primary example of how the Internet is enabling women from various socio-economic classes to improve their lives, while at the same time expanding benefits for all members of Indonesian society.
Shinta Dhanuwardoyo + BUBU.com's Social Links
Cita Tenun Indonesia's Social Links
