Public Perception on Women’s Economic Empowerment in Kutai Kartanegara Regency

Abstract

Empowering women necessitates the support and understanding of the community. This research seeks to: (1) determine the public perceptions of women’s economic empowerment; (2) determine the problems and needs for women's economic empowerment; and (3) develop strategies for women's economic empowerment. This research employed a combined method (quantitative-qualitative) and surveyed the residents of Kutai Kartanegara Regency through face-to-face interviews. In this research, the entire population of Kutai Kartanegara Regency was analyzed. Using the Slovin formula, a sample size of up to 420 individuals was calculated. The analysis was conducted using descriptive quantitative methods. The result of this study shows that majority of people in Kutai Kartanegara Regency believe that women should work so that they can contribute to the family's economic well-being. However, they want women to be able to work in the informal sector, such as entrepreneurship, which offers flexible hours and does not interfere with family time. In the economic sector, government intervention has been implemented to empower women. The economic sector is empowered through the development of skills and the provision of capital. This form of intervention is partly in line with community needs, but the process of women’s empowerment requires additional, more comprehensive policy interventions.