At Hannover Messe 2024, Pertamina’s President Director Affirms 25% Female Leadership Target

Jakarta, March 23, 2024 – At the international business forum Hannover Messe 2024, Pertamina reaffirmed its commitment to enhance women's significant role in the national energy industry. This commitment is demonstrated by setting a target of up to 25% female leaders within the Pertamina Group business scope.

Nicke Widyawati, President Director of PT Pertamina (Persero), emphasized that women are expected to increase their contributions in the energy sector. Women can hold strategic roles, not only supportive ones but also in leadership positions. Currently, female workers at Pertamina make up about 18%, with most of them in support functions, and the percentage at the management level is nearly 20%.

"We have a target to increase this figure to 25% this year, and the same applies to State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to enhance female participation in the workforce," said Nicke during the Business Forum discussion themed "Forging Smart & Sustainable Industry" - Women in Industry 4.0, in Hannover, Germany, on Monday (22/4).

She noted that Pertamina has established a dedicated community to empower female workers. This community conducts training, mentoring, and special programs aimed at employees and Pertamina University.

"We have specific quotas that stipulate a certain percentage of participants must be women," added Nicke.

Furthermore, Nicke stated that Pertamina also focuses on women's development and empowerment for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Previously, only a few fostered MSMEs under Pertamina were owned by women.

"Currently, more than 50% of Pertamina fostered MSMEs are owned by women. We have special programs to enhance women's roles in MSMEs. We also have internship programs that allocate a portion of quotas for women to provide them with greater opportunities," she said.

However, Nicke continued, Pertamina acknowledges that there is still much to be done to increase women’s role in the energy sector. It should start with awareness and understanding from families and environments that provide equal opportunities for women to become good leaders.

"I am proud that now, in Pertamina Holding, two of its directors are women. And we have received recognition not only domestically but also internationally," she added.

As a top leader at Pertamina, Nicke continues to reassure and boost the confidence of female workers that they can be part of the company's journey by enhancing self-capacity and changing perspectives.

During the occasion, Nicke also outlined various important issues to support the increased role of women in the energy industry in Indonesia.

Firstly, there are still stereotypes and gender biases. She wants to convey a strong message to all women that they must prove themselves competent and that biases and perceptions are nothing more than myths.

Furthermore, according to Nicke, women must enhance their abilities and prove to others that they have the competence to be global leaders in the energy industry.

Secondly, the energy sector heavily relies on education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) fields. She revealed that data shows only an average of 19% of graduates are in STEM fields, and only 50% of them choose the energy sector.

The third issue, Nicke continued, is work-life balance. "As women, naturally we also have a strategic role as female workers and mothers, and we must make it balanced," Nicke emphasized.

Nicke stressed the importance of education and systems that support women to balance these roles.

The fourth issue is workplace policies. "For example, at Pertamina, we have policies that must be respected, such as the respectful workplace policy. We convey a very strong message about rejecting all forms of harassment," Nicke asserted.

Finally, Nicke stated there needs to be an increase in environmental roles, especially to enhance and improve perceptions regarding cultural and social situations.

"So these five issues need to be addressed to enable more women in Indonesia to participate in the energy sector," Nicke concluded.

Pertamina, as a leading company in the energy transition, is committed to supporting the Net Zero Emission 2060 target by continuously promoting programs that directly impact the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievement. All these efforts align with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) implementation across all Pertamina's business lines and operations.**