Vantage Foundation and Grab Indonesia Unite to Empower Women Driver-Partners
Vantage Foundation Partners with Grab Indonesia
On December 19, 2024, the Vantage Foundation announced a significant partnership with Grab Indonesia to bolster their initiative, the Wiramudi Grab program. This initiative is designed to empower women across Indonesia by providing them with flexible earning opportunities as driver-partners for Grab. With the rise of gig economies, many women in Indonesia face unique challenges, especially when it comes to balancing family responsibilities with work commitments. The Wiramudi Grab program, launched in April 2024, addresses these specific challenges by promoting a message that women should not have to compromise between their careers, family, or education.
The campaign, titled Melaju dengan Syantiek, translates to “Progress without Compromise.” This emphasizes the flexibility offered through the Grab platform, allowing women to set their own working hours while earning a competitive income and accessing numerous benefits. The collaboration has enabled a significant number of women to join the Grab platform, overcoming barriers such as lack of capital and essential driving equipment.
According to a focus group led by Grab Indonesia, nearly half of the women surveyed cited access to capital and equipment as the primary barrier to joining the platform. This partnership actively addresses these challenges, fostering financial independence among women while supporting their families. Since the partnership commenced in November 2024, over 1,000 new women have signed up as driver-partners, and many existing drivers have benefited from additional financial resources that allow them to sustain their driving and earning capabilities.
Steven Xie, the Executive Director of Vantage Foundation, expressed the foundation’s commitment: “Through this partnership, we’re not just providing the tools that women need for success; we’re creating a domino effect of positive change.” The real-life impacts of the Wiramudi Grab program are profoundly illustrated through testimonials from driver-partners. One single mother from Bali shared how Grab’s daily electric bicycle rental service enabled her to focus on her earnings without worrying about vehicle costs. Similarly, a driver from Makassar stated that her income from being a Grab driver helped support her family after her husband suffered a stroke.
These testimonials highlight how the program is significantly empowering women and improving their communities. Grab is committed to supporting its drivers beyond financial means. They implement comprehensive safety features, ensuring driver-partners' safety during rides. Among these features is the Women Passenger Preferred button, which allows female drivers to indicate a preference for rides with female passengers. Additionally, Grab offers training, safety SOPs, and vehicle service discounts as part of various programs designed to support their drivers.
Rivana Mezaya, Director of Digital and Sustainability at Grab Indonesia, underscored the company’s mission: “Economic empowerment, especially among marginalized communities such as women and persons with disabilities, is at the core of our mission. Through collaboration with the Vantage Foundation, we have been able to remove significant barriers and provide women with the capital necessary to create income opportunities for themselves and their families. Together, we are fostering an inclusive community where women can thrive both at home and in their careers.”
The Wiramudi Grab program’s initiatives are not only confined to driving but also empower women to grow within the Grab platform. Available in 18 cities across Indonesia, the program is designed to continuously provide women with income opportunities that contribute to their growth.
For additional insights about Grab and its initiatives, please visit their website. More information about the Melaju dengan Syantiek campaign can be found on Grab Indonesia’s YouTube channel.
About Grab
Grab is a leading superapp in Southeast Asia, operating in delivery, mobility, and digital financial services. The company is present in over 700 cities across eight Southeast Asian countries, facilitating millions of people daily in ordering food or groceries, sending packages, requesting rides, and accessing services like loans and insurance through a single app. Founded in 2012, Grab aims to propel Southeast Asia forward by creating economic opportunities for all.
About Vantage Foundation
The Vantage Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization established in 2023, headquartered at the McLaren Technology Centre in the UK. The foundation collaborates with charities globally, including the iREDE Foundation in Nigeria and Teach For Malaysia. Its mission is to enable economic empowerment and support community initiatives worldwide.