Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (Indosat) has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative under its women’s empowerment program, SheHacks, known as Pandu Perempuan Daerah (PaPeDa). This fresh endeavor aims to uplift women leaders within regional communities, enhancing their capacity to effect change with technology-driven solutions.
PaPeDa takes a multifaceted approach to mentorship, beginning with online sessions that set the stage for development. The top 15 participants then embark on a one-day in-person bootcamp, which is followed by months of online guidance while launching local pilot projects. This progressive structure equips women leaders with practical skills in planning, storytelling, and measuring impact—transforming them into capable facilitators of “mini SheHacks” within their communities.
The initiative is a collaboration with UN Women and Kumpul.id, who help identify and mentor promising women from regions often overlooked by development programs. Together, they focus on fostering community-centric solutions that can thrive amidst local challenges.
Irsyad Sahroni, Indosat’s Director and Chief Human Resource Officer, emphasized the program’s vision. “Indosat’s commitment to empowering Indonesia extends beyond urban areas to reach regional communities. Through the PaPeDa initiative, we aim to ensure that women in regional areas have equal access to develop their potential,” he stated. Sahroni highlighted the importance of collaboration, declaring the initiative a critical step towards creating supportive environments for women leaders.
Dwi Faiz, Head of Programme at UN Women Indonesia, echoed this sentiment, noting the private sector’s vital role in promoting gender equality. “Accelerating women’s leadership to drive impactful societal change is at the top of UN Women’s agenda. With PaPeDa, we hope to see more women emerge as catalysts for broader change,” she shared.
Over two months, a rigorous selection process will identify eight outstanding participants based on their concepts, impact measurement capabilities, readiness to implement solutions, and performance during one-on-one mentor evaluations. The funnel process begins with 86 community women leaders, narrowing down through stages to the Top 30, Top 15, and finally the Top 8.
In a dramatic final stage, these top women will present their ideas in a five-minute pitch, followed by a Q&A to field questions from evaluators. The chosen few will have the opportunity to participate in advanced programs in 2026, collaborating with the SheHacks team and partner organizations. They will also enhance their pitching skills, showcasing their mini pilot projects—after all, who doesn’t enjoy a little friendly competition?
The finalists will receive a PaPeDa Basic Certification, empowering them to independently organize mini SheHacks initiatives in their communities. “PaPeDa is only the first step for the participants. We believe that with the right preparation, women can become increasingly empowered and contribute to driving progress,” Sahroni concluded.
What is the primary goal of the PaPeDa initiative?
The goal of the PaPeDa initiative is to empower women leaders in regional communities by providing them with mentorship and practical skills for implementing technology-driven solutions.
Who are the key partners involved in the PaPeDa program?
PaPeDa is a collaboration between Indosat, UN Women, and Kumpul.id, focusing on identifying and mentoring women with the potential to create community-centric solutions.
How does the selection process for participants work?
The selection process begins with 86 community women leaders, narrowing down through several stages to identify the Top 8 based on their project concepts, impact measurement ability, and performance during mentor evaluations.
