STRENGTHENING WOMEN'S ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT THROUGH RESPONSIBLE MICRO-ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL LOMBOK

Abstract

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a strategic role in supporting Indonesia's economic development, including improving the welfare of rural communities. However, women's participation in economic activities in rural Lombok continues to face various challenges, including limited access to productive resources, low value-added production, and patriarchal cultural norms that restrict women's economic opportunities. This article examines strategies for strengthening women's economic empowerment through responsible micro-enterprise development based on local resources in rural Lombok. The findings indicate that optimizing local resources, such as marine products, seaweed, palm sugar, and traditional woven handicrafts, creates value-added business opportunities for women. Responsible micro-enterprise development extends beyond income generation by integrating social, cultural, and environmental dimensions through the application of local values, zero-waste practices, institutional strengthening, and digital technology adoption. In addition to improving women's financial independence, such initiatives enhance their bargaining power within households and communities. Therefore, local resource-based micro-enterprise development grounded in sustainability principles represents an important strategy for fostering inclusive and sustainable women's economic empowerment in rural Lombok.