The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the use of online banking – particularly in low- and middle-income countries – transforming ways in which people make and receive payments, borrow, and save. Though despite a boom in digital services, millions of women are still being left behind and continue to be underserved online.

Globally, there are around 250 million fewer women online than men, and 327 million less women than men who own a smartphone and can access the internet.

The theme for International Women’s Day 2023, Cracking the Code, highlights the role that bold, transformative ideas, inclusive technologies, and accessible education can play in combatting discrimination and the marginalisation of women globally, including women like Yohana.

Technology has helped women like Bindu access their loan and savings easily.

Innovative Yohana expands her business online

Yohana, a single mother in Kupang, Indonesia, received a small loan from Opportunity International Australia’s program partner in Indonesia to start a food stall, and then opened a tailoring business with a subsequent loan. Not content with running two successful businesses, she recently set up an online store selling second-hand clothes and accessories.

“Sometimes I can take 25 orders in a day because online shopping is really on-trend right now,” said Yohana.

Yohana has seen a significant increase in her income since setting up her online business and selling through Facebook. Going from two physical stalls to also selling via an online marketplace, Yohana has shown great ingenuity and resilience with her business model.

With access to a smartphone and the internet, as well as access to the capital she needed, Yohana has been able to expand her customer base and reach exponentially – and her business is thriving. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she even pivoted to selling face masks to sustain her income.

Pivoting to online marketplaces has helped Yohana find more customers

Inspiring the next generation

Yohana’s two children are inspired by their mother and have big dreams for their future.

Her 17-year-old son Francisco is in high school, and her daughter Caroline, aged 21, is at university, studying accounting – but next, she wants to go on to study law and human rights. They’re proud of their mother and help her upload products and market her clothes and accessories online. Francisco is enterprising as well – he set up a stall next to Yohana’s, repairing laptops and tech after school. Despite the family’s successful businesses, they live in a simple, single room home with an outdoor kitchen - with most of Yohana’s income going towards her children’s education.

Growing up with very little, Yohana had dreams of being in control of her own career and becoming financially independent – and loves being a small business-owner. Yohana also teaches her children to not depend on someone else for a job.

“If they work from their heart, they’ll get anything they want in life,” said Yohana. “I want them to be brave and confident to one day have dreams like opening their own business like me.”

Yohana's entrepreneurial skills run in the family

Beyond inspiring her two kids, Yohana also has dreams to help other girls in her community by starting her own sewing course. She’d love to buy more sewing machines and become a tutor to teach girls how to make clothes from scratch and selling them online – helping even more women in the community use their skills to generate a sustainable income.

When it comes to having bold and transformational ideas, using technology and inspiring the next generation of female changemakers, Yohana is truly cracking the code! Read more stories of transformation through opportunity here.