Empowering Poor Women in Rural Java, Indonesia Through Entrepreneural Education

Abstract

This action research enacted entrepreneurial education to foster the economic potential and independence of poor women in rural Java, Indonesia. The targeted participants involved housewives within Durenan Sub-District, Trenggalek, Indonesia. The action research was implemented under the auspices of Jember University on the Organization of Women Rights (Organisasi Hak-hak Asasi Wanita). The research assisted the organization‘ s mission of advancing Indonesian women‘s rights by enabling the poor women to

establish small independent businesses. The implementation of action research was conducted in the form

of entrepreneural workshop using an instructional model that includes objectives, procedures, and evaluation strategies.

Further, intervention of a unit plan with a list of questions on the participants‘ prevailing skills, such as animal husbandry, street vendor, home decoration, vegetable cultivation and hobbies enabled participants

to reflect entrepreneural concepts. In addition, manipulation of indegenous cultural objects,

such as bamboo, rattan, coconut skin, dry banana leaves, et al. also enabled participants to explore creativity as a means of creating new oppotunity. Other activities included implementation of creating simple proposals, business plans, cash flow charts, and promotion plans. The workshop culminated with participants in groups, proposing business structures that enabled poor women to obtain a significant measure of personal and financial independence.