Applying ESG Principles, Srikandi Mandiri Strengthens Women's Role

Kapanlagi.com - It's hard to believe that Srikandi Mandiri is now two years old. Its presence is part of the implementation of the initiative of gender equality and diversity principles in the environment of Bank Mandiri. Srikandi Mandiri, which was born on April 21, 2021, is a place for female Bank Mandiri employees to develop themselves and increase their contributions to society.

Interestingly, on the second anniversary celebration of Srikandi Mandiri, which was held on May 24, 2023, the theme was: "Srikandi Mandiri's Contribution to Society". This was not chosen without reason. Vice President Director of Bank Mandiri, Alexandra Askandar, explained the reason.

According to Alexandra, "Bank Mandiri continues to innovate to face changes, including one of our main focuses being the management and development of talent or human resources. At the same time, Bank Mandiri is also consistent in building a positive work environment for all Mandirian beings." 

The Manifestation of Bank Mandiri's Commitment

The existence of Srikandi Mandiri is one manifestation of Bank Mandiri's commitment to promoting diversity and gender equality practices in the workplace. As part of the social pillar within the framework of Environment Social and Government (ESG), Alexandra added, Bank Mandiri believes that gender equality and diversity are key to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Bank Mandiri applies the principles of diversity and gender equality in human capital development starting from the recruitment stage, career development, to the provision of wages, facilities, and benefits. "Since the beginning of the employee acceptance process, we do not prioritize certain genders, ethnicities, races, or religions. All are equal and determined based on competence," said Alexandra, who is also the Chairperson of the Indonesian Human Capital Forum (FHCI).

Producing a Balanced Composition of Employees

The result of Bank Mandiri's commitment to gender equality is a balanced composition of Bank Mandiri employees. In the first quarter of 2023, 52% of Bank Mandiri employees were women, and 48% were men. This BMRI-listed bank also provides equal opportunities for female and male employees to climb to top management positions.

In the first quarter of 2023, the number of female employees in top-level management positions, namely assistant vice presidents to directors in Bank Mandiri, was 46%. Currently, Bank Mandiri has placed 2 female commissioners on the Board of Commissioners. Meanwhile, in the Board of Directors (B0D), 3 out of 12 directors are women.

Alexandra explained that the composition of the Board of Directors is determined based on the needs and complexity of Bank Mandiri's business, taking into account diversity of skills, education, and experience, and of course, not discriminating based on gender.

Gender Inequality Still Exists in the Workplace

It cannot be denied that gender inequality still exists in various parts of the world, including in the workplace. To provide opportunities for female employees to develop their careers, Bank Mandiri, through Srikandi Mandiri, implements the "Women Leadership Program".

This is a special development program for top talent millennial female employees to advance to the next career level. The facility is implemented through personal and professional skills development to answer specific challenges faced by women.

The realization of development activities for female talent includes workshops, intensive discussions, coaching, and mentoring. Bank Mandiri also holds a "Women Leadership Bootcamp", a program of preparation and development of women's leadership by inspiring female leaders.

Various training and enrichment programs have made Bank Mandiri an "institute" for producing reliable female bankers. By the end of March 2023, at least 11 female alumni of Bank Mandiri had held top management positions in various other companies.

Application of Gender Equality Principles in Various Systems

Gender equality principles are also the guiding principles of Bank Mandiri in remuneration and basic salary systems. The comparison of basic salaries and remuneration between male and female employees at Bank Mandiri is 1:1. "Salaries and facilities at Bank Mandiri are determined based on performance, not gender," said Alexandra.

Bank Mandiri also honors women's rights to receive maternity leave according to government regulations. This BMRI-listed bank also provides paternity leave, which is leave for male employees to accompany their wives who are giving birth, for 5 days.

Not only providing maternity and paternity leave, Bank Mandiri's commitment to creating a comfortable and supportive workplace for female employees is also evidenced by providing lactation rooms for female employees who are breastfeeding, both at the Head Office and regional offices.

These various efforts have proven to retain female employees to continue their careers at Bank Mandiri. In 2022, all female employees who took maternity leave that year returned to work. Even 100% of employees who took maternity leave in 2021 also continued to work at Bank Mandiri.

Bank Mandiri, through Srikandi Mandiri, also seeks to prevent and overcome harassment and discrimination by implementing the Respectful Workplace Policy. Through this policy of protection for women, Bank Mandiri does not tolerate sexual harassment, discrimination, and violence in its environment.

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(kly/tmi)