ANALYSIS OF GENDER EQUALITY AND DISABILITY
INCLUSION: BASED ON THE SUSTAINABILITY REPORT OF GOTO AND THE ESG REPORT OF
GRAB IN 2022
Rizka Zamzani Ibrahim, Maria Ariesta Utha, Kurniawati
Universitas Trisakti, Indonesia
Email: [email protected],
[email protected], [email protected]
|
KEYWORDS Gender Equality, Disability Inclusion, Startups, Information
Technology Industry, GoTo, Grab, Sustainability
Report, ESG Report |
ABSTRACT Amidst the changing times reflected in the
rapid growth of the information technology industry in Indonesia driven by technology
startups, there are still challenges regarding gender equality and disability
inclusion. Data shows an increase in women's participation in technology, but
their representation in leadership positions remains low. Additionally,
people with disabilities still face barriers to entering this sector. Major
companies like GoTo and Grab are paying attention
to the importance of these issues and are starting to implement them in their
operations, as depicted in the Sustainability Report of GoTo
and the ESG Report of Grab for the year 2022. This research employs a
qualitative descriptive approach to analyze these reports, focusing on gender
equality and disability inclusion. The results are expected to provide
insights into how major technology companies in Indonesia perceive and
address issues of equality and inclusion. |
INTRODUCTION
The
information technology industry in Indonesia has experienced significant growth
in recent decades, with the emergence of various technology startups that
are the main drivers of innovation and economic growth in Indonesia
According
to data from the Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association (APJII)
through the 2021 National Digital Literacy Index Survey, the percentage of
women who use the internet is higher than men, which is 56.6%. The MSME sector,
as one of the most important pillars in the Indonesian economy, found data that
64.5 percent or 37 million MSME actors out of 65.4 million MSMEs in Indonesia
are women. Even according to a report from e-Conomy SEA, around 10% of startup
founders in Indonesia are women. The figure shows that Indonesian women
already have access to technology and are currently migrating and transforming
digitally. With today's digital technology, women have gender equality as the
breadwinner of the family.
The number
of women working in the tech sector or utilizing technology in Indonesia has
increased, but the proportion of women in leadership positions remains low. Based
on data from the Central Statistics Agency, the proportion of women in
managerial positions in Indonesia is 32.26% in 2022. The proportion of women in
managerial positions is highest in North Sulawesi, at 46.09%, followed by Jambi
at 45.68%. This phenomenon is not only limited to new startups, but is also
seen in established technology companies in Indonesia
Several
major technology companies in Indonesia, such as GoTo, Bukalapak, and
Traveloka, have begun to recognize the importance of gender equality and
disability inclusion. GoTo's Sustainability Report and Grab's ESG (Environmental,
Social, and Governance) Report 2022 provide an overview of how these two
companies are addressing these issues (GoTo, 2022; Grab, 2022). Analysing
GoTo's Sustainability Report and Grab's ESG Report not only provides insight
into their approach to gender equality and disability inclusion but also
provides an overview of how the region's two largest technology companies can
impact the industry as a whole in Indonesia in this regard.
Literature Review
Gender equality and disability inclusion are two crucial aspects of the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set forth by the United Nations. Goal 5 of
the SDGs, "Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls,"
emphasizes the importance of eliminating all forms of discrimination against
women and girls worldwide (UNDP, 2015).
In the context of the technology industry, gender equality is considered
a key to enhancing innovation and creativity
In the Indonesian context, gender equality in the technology industry is
a complex issue influenced by various factors, including social and cultural
norms, government policies, and company practices (Dzuhayatin
& Edwards, 2010). Despite progress in recent years, much work remains to
achieve true gender equality in the technology industry in Indonesia.
Apart from gender equality, disability inclusion is also a significant
concern in the technology industry. Goal 10 of the SDGs, "Reduce
inequality within and among countries," emphasizes the importance of
empowering and promoting social, economic, and political inclusion for all,
including persons with disabilities (UN, 2015). According to a report by the
International Labour Organization (ILO, 2017), persons with disabilities often
face barriers in accessing education, training, and job opportunities in the
tech sector. Assistive technology and digital accessibility have provided
opportunities for people with disabilities to more actively participate in the
tech industry, but challenges remain in terms of representation and equal
opportunities (WHO, 2018). Major tech companies like GoTo
and Grab play a significant role in promoting disability inclusion, both in the
workplace and through their products and services.
GoTo is the entity
resulting from the merger of Gojek and Tokopedia, two prominent tech giants in Indonesia. This
merger, announced in 2021, created one of the largest digital platforms in
Southeast Asia. Gojek, founded in 2010, initially
provided motorcycle taxi (ojek) booking services via phone calls and later
transformed into a super app offering various services from transportation,
delivery, financial services, to food. Meanwhile, Tokopedia, established in
2009, grew into one of the largest e-commerce platforms in Indonesia. Both
companies announced the merger in May 2021, creating an entity with a combined
valuation of around $18 billion. Following the merger, GoTo
has reached several significant milestones in its expansion across Southeast
Asia, including launching in several new countries and expanding financial
services. GoTo has made significant contributions to
Indonesia's digital economy, creating jobs, empowering SMEs, and fostering
financial inclusion. As a leading tech company in the region, GoTo plays a vital role in advancing gender equality in the
workplace and through supported initiatives. In the context of research on
gender equality, GoTo, as one of the largest tech
companies in the region, can serve as an example of how significant tech firms
can influence norms and practices in the tech industry, particularly in
Indonesia.
On the other hand, Grab is a technology company based in Singapore and
is one of the leading on-demand service platforms in Southeast Asia. Founded in
2012 by Anthony Tan and Tan Hooi Ling, Grab initially began as GrabTaxi, an app for taxi booking aimed at enhancing
passenger safety and comfort. Since its inception as a taxi booking platform,
Grab has expanded rapidly and diversified its services. They now offer various
services ranging from transportation (like GrabCar
and GrabBike), food delivery (GrabFood),
financial services (GrabPay), to logistics services.
While based in Singapore, Grab has successfully expanded its services to
various countries in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the
Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and others. Grab has had a significant economic
impact in the countries where they operate, creating jobs, empowering driver
partners, and supporting SMEs through their platform. Grab has shown its
commitment to gender equality through various initiatives, including training
programs for female drivers and awareness campaigns to reduce sexual
harassment. As a strong tech company in Southeast Asia, Grab can serve as an
example of how significant tech companies commit to and contribute to gender
equality issues in the tech industry.
In an increasingly transparent business era, sustainability reports have
become essential tools for companies to communicate their social, economic, and
environmental performance to stakeholders. The Global Reporting Initiative
(GRI) is an international standard for sustainability reporting that offers a
framework for companies to report on the economic, environmental, and social
impacts of their activities. GRI emphasizes the importance of transparency,
accountability, and effective communication with stakeholders (GRI, 2020).
Besides GRI, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) provides
industry-specific standards for sustainability reporting that help companies
identify, manage, and report on the most relevant sustainability issues
affecting their financial performance. SASB emphasizes the importance of
materiality in sustainability reporting, focusing on issues most likely to
impact a company's value (SASB, 2020). GoTo and Grab
formally address gender equality and disability inclusion through Sustainability
and ESG Reports that comply with international GRI and SASB standards.
RESEARCH
METHOD
Research Methods
This
research uses a qualitative descriptive approach to analyze GoTo's 2022 Sustainability
Report and Grab's 2022 ESG Report. This approach is recognized as an
effective method for understanding complex social phenomena such as gender
equality and disability inclusion in the workplace (Creswell, 2013). Data is
collected from these reports and analyzed using content analysis techniques.
The main objective is to gain an in-depth understanding of how GoTo and Grab
view and implement gender equality and disability inclusion in their operations
and policies. The limitation of research is only to describe responses to
situations or events, so it does not explain causality relationships or perform
hypothesis tests. In other words, this method focuses on deciphering and
interpreting data to understand the reality under study.
Data and Variables
The main
data source in this study comes from the 2022 Sustainability and ESG Report.
There are two main variables to focus on in this study. First is gender
equality, which includes all efforts and policies implemented by GoTo and Grab
to ensure equality between men and women in the workplace and in their
services. The second is disability inclusion, which includes all initiatives
taken by both companies to ensure that people with disabilities get equal
access and opportunities. In
addition, there are several supporting variables that are also considered, such
as official policies related to gender equality and disability inclusion, as
well as special programs or initiatives launched by the two companies to
support both issues. Using qualitative
descriptive methods and focusing on these variables, this study seeks to
provide a clear and in-depth picture of how GoTo and Grab are committed to
gender equality and disability inclusion.
RESULTS AND
DISCUSSION
Implementation of
Gender Equality
Both GoTo
and Grab have made efforts and policies to ensure equality between men and
women in their operational ecosystems. The summary of gender equality is
presented in the following table:
Table 1. GoTo and Grab Comparison
|
Variable |
GoTo
(2022) |
Grab
(2022) |
|
Gender Equality (Dependent) |
||
|
Proportion of
Female Employees |
36% |
43% |
|
1.
Cambodia |
n.a. |
54% |
|
2.
China |
n.a. |
30% |
|
3.
India |
17,2% |
17% |
|
4.
Indonesia |
39,2% |
39% |
|
5.
Malaysia |
n.a. |
50% |
|
6.
Myanmar |
n.a. |
56% |
|
7.
Philippines |
n.a. |
59% |
|
8.
Romania |
n.a. |
44% |
|
9.
Singapore |
31,5% |
39% |
|
10.
Taiwan |
n.a. |
14% |
|
11.
Thailand |
n.a. |
65% |
|
12.
USA |
n.a. |
23% |
|
13.
Vietnam |
66,7% |
60% |
|
Proportion of
Women in Leadership Positions |
27,9% |
34% |
|
Proportion of
Women on Board of Directors |
33,3% |
33,3% |
|
Proportion of
Women in the Board of Commissioners |
- |
|
|
Gender Equality
Initiative (The Average) |
1.
Commitment to Zero Barries target by
2030. 2.
Using the UN Women's Empowerment
Principles (WEP) as a guiding framework for companies to achieve gender
equality in the workplace and wider community. 3.
Targeting 33% female representation in
senior ranks by 2030. 4.
Forming a team that has a function of
social impact, diversity, and inclusion (SIDI). 5.
Establish a Diversity and Inclusion Council
that aims to promote gender equality and disability inclusion in their
workplaces. 6.
Adopt inclusive hiring practices by
ensuring that their hiring process is non-discriminatory and considering
candidates from diverse backgrounds. 7.
Regular reviews of performance and
career development. 8.
Audit upah gender. 9.
Events, workshops and sessions support
women and facilitate gender equality in technology. 10. Promoting
micro and small enterprises of women entrepreneurs. 11. Forming Employee
Resource Groups (ERGs) that aim to promote inclusion and diversity in
their workplaces GoTo's ERGs are Women in GoTo. 12. Training
for the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act in the workplace and equality. |
1.
Targeting 40% female representation in
senior ranks by 2030. 2.
Have precautions against sexual
harassment and assault. Track and look for ways to reduce sexual harassment
and assault. 3.
Organizing panel discussions, workshops 4.
Placing an equal proportion of women
with men on the Inclusion Committee, a committee set up to guide inclusion
strategies, planning and priorities. 5.
Monitor and review the development of an
inclusive culture 6.
Assisting the Diversity and Inclusion
Council which aims to promote gender equality and disability inclusion in the
workplace. 7.
Ensure that their products and services
are accessible to people with disabilities with attention to accessibility in
their product design and development. 8.
Establish Employee Resource Groups
(ERGs) that aim to promote inclusion and diversity in their workplaces. |
|
Gender
pay parity index |
n.a. |
0,98 |
|
Control
Variables |
||
|
Company Size (Number of
Employees) |
9.381 |
11,934 |
Implementasi
Inklusi Disabilitas
Having a job that generates profit has many benefits not only
financially but also psychologically, socially, and health-wise
GoTo has a
People and Culture (PAC) team, which has a Social Impact, Diversity
and Inclusion (SIDI) function. One of GoTo's main goals and priorities
related to DEI is an inclusive workplace by conditioning everyone to feel safe,
supported, valued. GoTo joined the Valuable 500 initiative as part of its
commitment to encourage inclusion for people with disabilities in the GoTo
organization and ecosystem. The Valuable 500 is an initiative that aims
to put disability on the global business leadership agenda. It seeks to ensure
that businesses around the world recognize the importance of disability
inclusion and take concrete steps to make their organisations more inclusive
for people with disabilities. Companies that join The Valuable 500 commit to:
1) Publicize their commitment to disability inclusion, 2) Take concrete action
within their organizations to advance disability inclusion, 3) Share their
progress and actions with The Valuable 500 community.
Some of the things GoTo does specifically to
improve accessibility for users and partners:
·
Designing GoPartner applications using a
new system with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards.
·
Having automated messages to notify
customers who will be served by drivers with hearing loss resulted in an
increase in chat communication of approximately 4% and a reduction in calls by
5%.
·
Conduct face-to-face training and
workshops to help improve sign language communication for drivers with hearing
impairments.
·
Expanding drivers with disabilities.
·
Provide communication aids for drivers
with hearing impairments, stickers for jackets and helmets, manuals, and
vehicle labels so as to help drivers communicate with consumers through sign
language.
·
Provides Tokopedia Voice Over feature to
Android applications that were previously only available on iOS systems
·
Expanded Talk Back feature to 95% of
components from 60% previously.
·
Create WCAG 2.0 standard-compliant color
contrast features at AA levels in all applications for viewing by visually
impaired users
·
Includes Haptic with 100% compliance,
allowing additional affirmative feedback for users with various disabilities
(especially blind disabilities).
·
Plans to add color blind mode features for
the mobile and desktop versions of the Tokopedia platform for all users by
the end of 2023.
At Grab,
we set out our mission to move Southeast Asia forward by creating economic
empowerment for everyone. Grab has a triple bottom line company concept that
believes that what is good for the consumer community, driver-partners and
merchants, and the environment, is good for their business. Grab facilitates
income opportunities for people with disabilities. There are already more than
2,100 disabled people and marginalized individuals actively earning on Grab.
Grab
partners with local NGOs to join forces and train people with disabilities and
marginalized individuals to become partners and earn income. NGOs that Grab has
partnered with include Gerkatin, the Indonesian Association of Women with
Disabilities (HWDI), the Indonesian Sign Language Centre (Pusbisindo), and the
Indonesian Association of Persons with Disabilities (PPDI) in Indonesia, the
Malaysian Federation of the Deaf and the Malaysian Physical OKU e-Hailing
Driver Association.
To help
drivers with disabilities better drive partners, Grab is working with drivers
with disabilities and related NGOs to develop in-app features that facilitate
communication between drivers with disabilities and consumers. One of them is
automated notifications sent to inform their consumers on how best to
communicate between drivers with disabilities who are Grab partners.
As part of
Grab's ongoing commitment, it has also launched GrabAccess programmes in
Indonesia and Malaysia to systematically provide equal access to income
opportunities from the digital economy. In this program, Grab provides special
assistance such as 1) specially designed training sessions, 2) rebates in the
form of vouchers for food, fuel and maintenance, and free boarding kits such as
helmets and jackets for driver-partners. More than 100 people with disabilities
and marginalized individuals have benefited from the program to date since its
launch in late 2022. Disability inclusion in the workplace is not widely
reviewed in Grab's ESG report, so there is no additional information related to
how people with disabilities play a role in Grab's work environment other than
as partners.
CONCLUSION
GoTo and
Grab report Sustainability/ESG Reports with GRI and SASB standards so that they
have included indices that match their respective settings but lack of
explanation in Grab's reports related to inclusion in the work environment.
GoTo and Grab are companies that care deeply about gender equality and
inclusion. They are committed to achieving SDGs 5 "Achieving gender
equality and empowering all women and girls" and 10 "Reducing
inequalities within and between countries", emphasizing the importance of
empowering and promoting social, economic and political inclusion for all,
including persons with disabilities to create sustainable lives for communities
and support self-reliance. This is a positive step towards sustainable business
practices and supports inclusive and efficient development for all communities
and can promote to other technology companies.
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Copyright holders:
Rizka Zamzani Ibrahim, Maria Ariesta Utha, Kurniawati
(2023)
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Devotion - Journal of Research and Community
Service
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