Strengthening Social Reform in Rural Areas Through Women’s Self-Employment

Abstract

This paper is based on the empirical experiences of self-employed women in rural areas of Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Despite limited options, working in low-paid jobs in formal industries or as seasonal paddy field workers is no longer a priority because these women can configure their own “fieldwork” in which they can achieve a stronger self-independence and a higher level of satisfaction. This paper will show that women’s involvement in entrepreneurial activities provides benefits beyond a mere economic survival strategy. Their involvement in self-employment can lead rural women to initiate changes in the way people configure their existence as they shift their consciousness and capabilities as individuals, take the initiative, and make the commitment to improve the welfare of their families and others. Instead of perceiving their traditional roles as barriers to their advancement, rural women’s entrance into self-employment endeavours has progressively led to personal and social revelatory change.