"This should be closely monitored; in any case, it represents significant potential," the minister said while visiting the PNM Monitoring Center along with the ministry’s deputy of gender equality Leny Nurhayanti Rosalin. They were guided by Arief, PNM director of strategic planning and finance Ninis Kesuma Adriani and PNM director of operations, digital and information technology Sunar Basuki.

Minister Bintang met with PNM Mekaar customers and support staff, commonly known as AOs, on several occasions, including in Aceh and Bali. PNM Mekaar's customers are all women, and 98 percent of their support staff are women as well. Minister Bintang emphasized the role of PNM in empowering women in Indonesia.

"When I was in Klungkung, PNM AOs impressed me with their ability to explain gender issues in language that resonates with the community," she added.

Observing the potential of PNM's AOs and customers, the minister urged the continuous maximization of women's empowerment through PNM. She emphasized that PNM should not only focus on improving their well-being by providing intellectual and social empowerment, but that it should also continue to develop the potential of Indonesian women through PNM's sustainable training programs. She expressed her support for PNM's ongoing efforts to achieve quality education for AOs and the children of customers.

"This is indeed our next agenda, to support our younger AOs to progress to the next level of education. Their potential, as high school, or equivalent graduates, is significant, reflected in their enthusiasm and entrepreneurship in the field," Arief said.

Arief emphasized that PNM works to empower customers through financing and mentoring. Financing and mentoring are two sides of the same coin that should not be separated from each other. He also explained PNM's efforts to provide financial, intellectual and social capital on an ongoing basis.

The ongoing empowerment efforts by PNM create a sustainable ecosystem. Weekly group meetings (PKMoleh AO) are held periodically to boost the morale of group members and enhance their business performance. During these meetings, AOs also provide basic training modules to customers. These modules indirectly enhance the AOs' entrepreneurial skills.

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