top of page
-01.png){kind=small}
*Translations are unofficial and provided by Google translate
UN Women 2021 Asia-Pacific WEPs Awards:
Meet the Judges
Devi Asmarani
Editor-in-Chief and co-founder, Magdalene
Devi Asmarani is the Editor-in-Chief and co-founder of women-focused webmagazine Magdalene (www.magdalene.co). Her 25 years’ experience in journalism began at The Jakarta Post, followed by The Straits Times of Singapore, where she wrote news reports, in-depth articles and analyses on various issues from politics, conflicts, terrorism to natural disasters. She has also written columns, articles, essays as well as works of fiction for various local and international publications. She is also a writing and journalism instructor, and gender and media trainer, and has worked as a consultant with international organizations. Devi is the recipient of S.K. Trimurti Awards for her work in promoting gender equality in journalism.
“Companies that promote inclusive and gender-responsive business have been shown to make better business decisions that directly or indirectly affect their bottom line. But beyond smart business sense, they also show how the private sector can be an important force for societal change, starting from their employees, throughout their value chain, and all the way to their customers.”
Devi Asmarani is the Editor-in-Chief and co-founder of women-focused webmagazine Magdalene (www.magdalene.co). Her 25 years’ experience in journalism began at The Jakarta Post, followed by The Straits Times of Singapore, where she wrote news reports, in-depth articles and analyses on various issues from politics, conflicts, terrorism to natural disasters. She has also written columns, articles, essays as well as works of fiction for various local and international publications. She is also a writing and journalism instructor, and gender and media trainer, and has worked as a consultant with international organizations. Devi is the recipient of S.K. Trimurti Awards for her work in promoting gender equality in journalism.
“Companies that promote inclusive and gender-responsive business have been shown to make better business decisions that directly or indirectly affect their bottom line. But beyond smart business sense, they also show how the private sector can be an important force for societal change, starting from their employees, throughout their value chain, and all the way to their customers.”
Dewi Meisari
Dini Widiastuti
Social and Gender Justice Advocate
Dini is a development professional with more than 20 years of experience managing complex development and humanitarian programmes in Indonesia and a number of other countries in Asia. She is a passionate advocate and campaigner for social and gender justice. Her experience ranging from the promotion of good governance to youth economic empowerment and gender lens investing. She provides strategic leadership and management, facilitates dialogues and linkages, and actively builds the capacity of future civil society leaders and change makers. Since the beginning of 2018, she has been leading Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (Plan Indonesia), an organisation that promotes the fulfilment of child rights and equality for girls, both in development and emergency situations. For the last three years, she leads the transformation of Plan Indonesia into a leading child rights organisation focussing on issues related to gender equality and youth development. Prior to Diniwas the Executive Director of the Indonesia Business Coalition for Women Empowerment and Economic Justice Programme Director for Oxfam in Indonesia. She is a Chevening Scholar who received her master degree from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, and a Senior Fellow in Public Service, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.
“I believe every business is set up to answer certain public needs. Companies do not operate in a vacuum; hence they have to listen to voices and engage with women and marginalised communities. At the very least because they constitute more than half of humanity. More importantly, however, because it has been proven that inclusive and gender-responsive business is good for growth and sustainability."
Dini is a development professional with more than 20 years of experience managing complex development and humanitarian programmes in Indonesia and a number of other countries in Asia. She is a passionate advocate and campaigner for social and gender justice. Her experience ranging from the promotion of good governance to youth economic empowerment and gender lens investing. She provides strategic leadership and management, facilitates dialogues and linkages, and actively builds the capacity of future civil society leaders and change makers. Since the beginning of 2018, she has been leading Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (Plan Indonesia), an organisation that promotes the fulfilment of child rights and equality for girls, both in development and emergency situations. For the last three years, she leads the transformation of Plan Indonesia into a leading child rights organisation focussing on issues related to gender equality and youth development. Prior to Diniwas the Executive Director of the Indonesia Business Coalition for Women Empowerment and Economic Justice Programme Director for Oxfam in Indonesia. She is a Chevening Scholar who received her master degree from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, and a Senior Fellow in Public Service, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.
“I believe every business is set up to answer certain public needs. Companies do not operate in a vacuum; hence they have to listen to voices and engage with women and marginalised communities. At the very least because they constitute more than half of humanity. More importantly, however, because it has been proven that inclusive and gender-responsive business is good for growth and sustainability."
Eko Novi Ariyanti Darmayanti
Director for the Enhancement of Professional Association and Private Sector Participation since December 2020 in the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection
Eko Novi Ariyanti Darmayanti R.D.,M.Si is the Director for the Enhancement of Professional Association and Private Sector Participation since December 2020 in the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection of the Republic of Indonesia. She obtained her Master Degree in Women Studies from Universitas Indonesia.
Within the Ministry, she previously held several positions such as the Director of Gender Mainstreaming in Agriculture, Forestry, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries; and Deputy Secretary for Child Development.
Eko Novi Ariyanti Darmayanti R.D.,M.Si is the Director for the Enhancement of Professional Association and Private Sector Participation since December 2020 in the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection of the Republic of Indonesia. She obtained her Master Degree in Women Studies from Universitas Indonesia.
Within the Ministry, she previously held several positions such as the Director of Gender Mainstreaming in Agriculture, Forestry, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries; and Deputy Secretary for Child Development.
Karen Vardanyan
UN Development Finance Executive
Karen Vardanyan is a development finance executive with more than two decades of experience in managing large and complex portfolios of development programs and financial resources. In his UN career, Karen has managed more than a billion US dollars in support of the SDGs, delivered in all continents. As the Co-founder of Crimson Investment Fund and the Board Member in charge of Risk Management, Karen invests in early stage start-ups with scalable business models and promising growth potential. As the Co-founder and Co-Executive Director of Creatella Impact, Karen supports women social entrepreneurs in emerging markets to bridge the SDG gap.
Karen is an Alumni of Harvard Business School, holds a Diploma in Financial Management from the UK Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. He has Specialization in Business and Financial Modelling from the Wharton School, PhD and Masters of Engineering from State Engineering University of Armenia.
“Equal treatment of men and women within the enterprise and its value chain has to be the foundational norm for any enterprise anywhere in the world”.
Karen Vardanyan is a development finance executive with more than two decades of experience in managing large and complex portfolios of development programs and financial resources. In his UN career, Karen has managed more than a billion US dollars in support of the SDGs, delivered in all continents. As the Co-founder of Crimson Investment Fund and the Board Member in charge of Risk Management, Karen invests in early stage start-ups with scalable business models and promising growth potential. As the Co-founder and Co-Executive Director of Creatella Impact, Karen supports women social entrepreneurs in emerging markets to bridge the SDG gap.
Karen is an Alumni of Harvard Business School, holds a Diploma in Financial Management from the UK Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. He has Specialization in Business and Financial Modelling from the Wharton School, PhD and Masters of Engineering from State Engineering University of Armenia.
“Equal treatment of men and women within the enterprise and its value chain has to be the foundational norm for any enterprise anywhere in the world”.
Marina Berg
Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Indonesia, Timor-Leste and to ASEAN
Ambassador Berg is a Swedish diplomat with extensive experience within the Foreign Ministry, which she joined in 1995. She was recently Director and Deputy Head of the Department for the Swedish International Development Cooperation.Previous to that she was serving the Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation for five years in her work in the Council of the European Union. Ambassador Berg has also been in charge of Western Balkan and Turkey at the EU Department.For several years she was working with procurement issues within the multilateral system. She has also in different capacities been representing Sweden in its relation to Southern African Countries, to UNRWA and to the Asian Development Bank.Ambassador Berg was born in 1968. She is married to Richard Berg. They have three children.
Ambassador Berg is a Swedish diplomat with extensive experience within the Foreign Ministry, which she joined in 1995. She was recently Director and Deputy Head of the Department for the Swedish International Development Cooperation.Previous to that she was serving the Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation for five years in her work in the Council of the European Union. Ambassador Berg has also been in charge of Western Balkan and Turkey at the EU Department.For several years she was working with procurement issues within the multilateral system. She has also in different capacities been representing Sweden in its relation to Southern African Countries, to UNRWA and to the Asian Development Bank.Ambassador Berg was born in 1968. She is married to Richard Berg. They have three children.
Petty Sitty Fatimah
Femina Media's Chief Editor & Chief Community Officer and Editorial Director
Petty Siti Fatimah is a Femina Media's Chief Editor & Chief Community Officer and Editorial Director Prana Group. She leads the most respectable women media (both print and online) in Indonesia since 2003. In her time at Femina Media, The Magazine obtained many awards in design and journalism.
She holds her bachelor degree in Journalism from the University of Padjadjaran, Bandung, and Master Degree in Communication Management from the University of Indonesia in 2008. As a journalist Petty also graduated from the Professional Publishing Course in Stanford University (2000) and Yale University (2013). Now, she is an active as speaker for women lifestyle, leadership media and women entrepreneurship. With Femina she is runing many women community development, include Wanita Wirausaha Femina. She is also mentor at Endeavor Indonesia.
Living in Jakarta, she loves shopping, travelling, and attending music concert.
Petty Siti Fatimah is a Femina Media's Chief Editor & Chief Community Officer and Editorial Director Prana Group. She leads the most respectable women media (both print and online) in Indonesia since 2003. In her time at Femina Media, The Magazine obtained many awards in design and journalism.
She holds her bachelor degree in Journalism from the University of Padjadjaran, Bandung, and Master Degree in Communication Management from the University of Indonesia in 2008. As a journalist Petty also graduated from the Professional Publishing Course in Stanford University (2000) and Yale University (2013). Now, she is an active as speaker for women lifestyle, leadership media and women entrepreneurship. With Femina she is runing many women community development, include Wanita Wirausaha Femina. She is also mentor at Endeavor Indonesia.
Living in Jakarta, she loves shopping, travelling, and attending music concert.
Sagar Tandon
Entrepreneur
Sagar has 7+ years of experience as an entrepreneur, operator, venture capitalist, and gender-lens investor. He has led investments in 17 early-stage startups in India and Indonesia. He has been involved in micro-venture capital funds in S/SE Asia.
"It’s disturbing to see how skewed the venture ecosystem is towards underrepresented founders, i.e., ventures led by women, non-privileged founders. The problem stems from the check-writers, i.e., venture capitalists and fund managers, where representation is even more skewed."
Sagar has 7+ years of experience as an entrepreneur, operator, venture capitalist, and gender-lens investor. He has led investments in 17 early-stage startups in India and Indonesia. He has been involved in micro-venture capital funds in S/SE Asia.
"It’s disturbing to see how skewed the venture ecosystem is towards underrepresented founders, i.e., ventures led by women, non-privileged founders. The problem stems from the check-writers, i.e., venture capitalists and fund managers, where representation is even more skewed."
Tendy Gunawan
Programme Officer, International Labour Organization, Jakarta Office
Mr. Tendy GUNAWAN is currently a Programme Officer at the International Labour Organization, Jakarta Office. He is managing several portfolios including, equal employment opportunities, enterprise development, skills development, and youth employment.
Mr. Gunawan holds an undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering from Universitas Pelita Harapan in Indonesia and a postgraduate degree in System Engineering and Policy Analysis from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. He began his professional career 19 years ago as a market researcher. Subsequently he assumed different functions and positions in the financial, manufacturing, international trade, and development sector.
With diverse experiences in various industries/ sectors/ organizations and extensive network, Mr Gunawan has acquired highly regarded skills on project development and management, strategic planning, resource mobilization, employment generation, and enterprise development.
Mr. Gunawan last position before joining the ILO is the Senior Trade Officer at the commercial section of the Embassy of Switzerland in Jakarta, Indonesia.
"Low female labour force participation rate is a huge oppportunity loss, not only for the company but also for the economy of the country...Gender diversity and equality at the workplace could actually help companies tap a wider pool of talent, improve staff retention, provide different perspective and encourage creativity, and reflect better their customers, which could result in better profitability and productivity.
Often case, companies have strong commitment from the management to improve workplace practices, in regards to equality, but do not have enough knowledge and reference on how to do it... A platform, such as WEP, could assist companies with the same vision to learn from each other and adopt best practices, without having to re-investing the wheel. The UN Woman WEPs Awards could also help raising awareness and mobilizing companies to take collective action for gender equality.
It is imperative that companies and other stakeholders work together to achieve gender equality for all women and girls as stipulated in the SDG Goal 5"
Mr. Tendy GUNAWAN is currently a Programme Officer at the International Labour Organization, Jakarta Office. He is managing several portfolios including, equal employment opportunities, enterprise development, skills development, and youth employment.
Mr. Gunawan holds an undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering from Universitas Pelita Harapan in Indonesia and a postgraduate degree in System Engineering and Policy Analysis from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. He began his professional career 19 years ago as a market researcher. Subsequently he assumed different functions and positions in the financial, manufacturing, international trade, and development sector.
With diverse experiences in various industries/ sectors/ organizations and extensive network, Mr Gunawan has acquired highly regarded skills on project development and management, strategic planning, resource mobilization, employment generation, and enterprise development.
Mr. Gunawan last position before joining the ILO is the Senior Trade Officer at the commercial section of the Embassy of Switzerland in Jakarta, Indonesia.
"Low female labour force participation rate is a huge oppportunity loss, not only for the company but also for the economy of the country...Gender diversity and equality at the workplace could actually help companies tap a wider pool of talent, improve staff retention, provide different perspective and encourage creativity, and reflect better their customers, which could result in better profitability and productivity.
Often case, companies have strong commitment from the management to improve workplace practices, in regards to equality, but do not have enough knowledge and reference on how to do it... A platform, such as WEP, could assist companies with the same vision to learn from each other and adopt best practices, without having to re-investing the wheel. The UN Woman WEPs Awards could also help raising awareness and mobilizing companies to take collective action for gender equality.
It is imperative that companies and other stakeholders work together to achieve gender equality for all women and girls as stipulated in the SDG Goal 5"
Vania Santoso
Co-Founder of heySTARTIC
Vania Santoso is the Co-Founder of heySTARTIC that promotes sustainable fashion through the innovation of upcycling and community empowerment. Prior building heySTARTIC, Vania has had experience as the climate action and youth supporter since 2005. Having begun social activism at a young age, her community empowerment was acknowledged through Satyalencana Wirakarya, a prestigious medal bestowed by the Indonesian President when she was 18. Recently her leadership is acknowledged as Forbes 30 Under 30 Class 2021 for Social Entrepreneur, Philanthropy, and Activism and won Runner Up for UN Women Asia Pacific’s Women Empowerment Principles Awards 2020 for Youth Leadership category. Vania was selected as the only Indonesian chosen as 100 young climate champions from around the world that received UN Foundation's support to participate in the UN Youth Climate Summit 2019. She presented heySTARTIC's initiative in empowering young people and women at the SDGs Media Zone broadcast by UN Web TV. The story of Vania’s journey was featured in the Asians of the Year documentation broadcast by Channel News Asia.
"Having inclusive and gender-responsive environment brings positive impacts, not only for the beneficiaries, but also for the doers. It is a value that creates a strong support system where relevant parties: men or women, adults or young people, can unleash their potential, complimenting one another to make a progress, together. Let's give the space, empowering those who are in needs and facilitating those who are qualified because every real action knows no gender nor age, but impacts."
Vania Santoso is the Co-Founder of heySTARTIC that promotes sustainable fashion through the innovation of upcycling and community empowerment. Prior building heySTARTIC, Vania has had experience as the climate action and youth supporter since 2005. Having begun social activism at a young age, her community empowerment was acknowledged through Satyalencana Wirakarya, a prestigious medal bestowed by the Indonesian President when she was 18. Recently her leadership is acknowledged as Forbes 30 Under 30 Class 2021 for Social Entrepreneur, Philanthropy, and Activism and won Runner Up for UN Women Asia Pacific’s Women Empowerment Principles Awards 2020 for Youth Leadership category. Vania was selected as the only Indonesian chosen as 100 young climate champions from around the world that received UN Foundation's support to participate in the UN Youth Climate Summit 2019. She presented heySTARTIC's initiative in empowering young people and women at the SDGs Media Zone broadcast by UN Web TV. The story of Vania’s journey was featured in the Asians of the Year documentation broadcast by Channel News Asia.
"Having inclusive and gender-responsive environment brings positive impacts, not only for the beneficiaries, but also for the doers. It is a value that creates a strong support system where relevant parties: men or women, adults or young people, can unleash their potential, complimenting one another to make a progress, together. Let's give the space, empowering those who are in needs and facilitating those who are qualified because every real action knows no gender nor age, but impacts."
2020 Judges
bottom of page