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Abstract

This study explores the role of social capital in empowering rural women, focusing on how social networks, trust, and community norms contribute to gender equality and women's decision-making. Despite the recognition of gender equality as a fundamental right, rural women continue to face structural barriers that limit their access to resources and opportunities. By examining the interaction between social capital and women's empowerment, this research aims to fill the gap in understanding the mechanisms that support women's empowerment in rural areas. The research adopts a qualitative approach, utilizing in-depth interviews with 30 women from various villages in Indonesia, complemented by secondary data from empowerment program reports. Key findings reveal that strong social networks, trust within the community, and supportive relationships are essential for enhancing women's empowerment, enabling them to actively participate in decision-making and community change. This study highlights the importance of integrating social capital into empowerment strategies, ensuring that rural women gain greater access to resources and opportunities, which are crucial for achieving gender equality. The results provide valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners to design more effective empowerment programs tailored to rural communities.

Abstrak

Penelitian ini mengeksplorasi peran modal sosial dalam pemberdayaan perempuan di pedesaan, dengan fokus pada bagaimana jaringan sosial, kepercayaan, dan norma komunitas berkontribusi pada kesetaraan gender dan pengambilan keputusan perempuan di lingkungan pedesaan. Meskipun kesetaraan gender diakui sebagai hak fundamental, perempuan pedesaan masih menghadapi hambatan struktural yang membatasi akses mereka terhadap sumber daya dan peluang. Dengan mengkaji interaksi antara modal sosial dan pemberdayaan perempuan, penelitian ini bertujuan mengisi kekosongan pemahaman tentang mekanisme yang mendukung pemberdayaan perempuan di daerah pedesaan. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif, dengan wawancara mendalam terhadap 30 perempuan dari berbagai desa di Indonesia, ditambah data sekunder dari laporan program pemberdayaan. Temuan utama mengungkapkan bahwa jaringan sosial yang kuat, kepercayaan dalam komunitas, dan hubungan yang mendukung sangat penting untuk meningkatkan pemberdayaan perempuan, memungkinkan mereka untuk berpartisipasi aktif dalam pengambilan keputusan dan perubahan sosial. Penelitian ini menekankan pentingnya mengintegrasikan modal sosial dalam strategi pemberdayaan, memastikan perempuan pedesaan memperoleh akses yang lebih besar terhadap sumber daya dan peluang, yang sangat penting untuk mencapai kesetaraan gender. Hasil penelitian ini memberikan wawasan berharga bagi pembuat kebijakan dan praktisi untuk merancang program pemberdayaan yang lebih efektif dan disesuaikan dengan komunitas pedesaan.

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