Participation of Coastal Women in Community Empowerment Activities : A Case Study of Kuala Sempang Village, Bintan Regency

. In the context of various Indonesian coastal regions, including Kuala Sempang Village, Bintan Regency, women in coastal areas assume pivotal roles in sustaining the family's economic stability due to the uncertain nature of family income. This prompts their active engagement in diverse economic endeavors encompassing fishing, agriculture, trade, and creative industries. Community empowerment emerges as a potential panacea to address the multifaceted challenges they encounter. This study seeks to assess the extent of women's involvement in community empowerment initiatives and evaluate their repercussions on the economic dynamics of families in Kuala Sempang Village, Bintan Regency. The research employs a mixed-method approach, integrating qualitative and quantitative elements, with data collection methods spanning observation, Likert-scale questionnaire dissemination, and interviews. The findings of this investigation reveal that women's participation in community empowerment activities, primarily within Joint Business Groups (KUBE), is notably robust, traversing three phases, including planning (91.1%), implementation (94.9%), and evaluation (92%). Consequently, the involvement of coastal women in empowerment endeavors within Kuala Sempang Village, Bintan Regency, exerts a tangible influence on the enhancement of their skills and family income.


Introduction
In Indonesia, coastal regions are renowned for their abundant natural resource potential, boasting an extensive coastline spanning approximately 81,000 kilometers.However, despite this vast resource potential, the socio-economic well-being of coastal communities remains notably low.The pervasive issue of poverty presents a multifaceted and profound challenge, both nationally and internationally, notably affecting Indonesia's coastal areas.Coastal populations frequently encounter a myriad of impediments, such as constrained access to natural resources, the repercussions of climate change, and the limited availability of essential services.In the pursuit of poverty alleviation and augmenting family income, coastal women play a pivotal role.Women hailing from fishing families actively engage in diverse income-generating activities, serving as fish harvesters, processors, boat custodians upon return from fishing expeditions, net assemblers or repairers, fish vendors, and proprietors of stalls, among other responsibilities [12].Research across various Indonesian regions underscores the substantial contribution of women to household economies, accounting for approximately 30 to 50 percent of total family income [1], [5], [3], and [4].To address the endemic poverty issues in coastal areas, numerous community empowerment initiatives have been spearheaded by government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and NGOs, all aiming to enhance living standards and diminish poverty rates among coastal communities.The Bintan Regency, specifically Kuala Sempang Village, mirrors the challenges faced by many coastal regions in Indonesia.Within this locale, social service programs have fostered the establishment of Joint Business Groups (KUBE).Women, as integral constituents of coastal communities, assume a pivotal role in efforts to empower and alleviate poverty.Their active participation in community empowerment endeavors significantly influences the formulation and execution of these programs, contributing to the resolution of poverty issues at both the household and community levels.Therefore, investigating the involvement of coastal women in empowerment activities in this area is a pertinent and vital research undertaking.

Method
This study employs a mixed-methods research design encompassing both qualitative and quantitative approaches.The data collection methods encompass observations, interviews, and surveys.The selection of informants is carried out through a purposive sampling technique, involving individuals who meet specific criteria aligned with the predefined research objectives.A total of 35 respondents, along with one key informant, the KUBE facilitator, were chosen.As suggested by [2], a larger sample size drawn from the population is generally advantageous; however, researchers must adhere to a minimum threshold, which is typically set at 30 samples.This sentiment is corroborated by Baley who posits that, especially in studies involving statistical data analysis, a minimum sample size of 30 is requisite for ensuring the representativeness of the sample, thereby justifying the selection of 35 respondents in this research.
To assess the extent of participation among coastal women in community empowerment initiatives within Kuala Sempang Village, Bintan Regency, the researcher employed a Likert scale.This measurement scale involves the translation of relevant variables into indicator variables, serving as the foundation for developing instrument items, which may take the form of statements or questions.Subsequently, respondents evaluate each instrument item using a Likert scale, ranging from highly favorable to highly unfavorable.According to [11] the Likert scale is employed to gauge individuals' or groups' attitudes, opinions, and perceptions regarding social phenomena.
The Likert scale employed in this research comprises categories with a scale range of 1 to 3. On a positively oriented scale, respondents can attain a maximum score of 3 (T) for a high response, 2 for a medium response (S), and 1 for a low response (R).Conversely, on a negatively oriented scale, the scoring may be reversed, as detailed by [7].Low 1 Sumber : [10] The acquired data is subsequently processed by multiplying each response point with its pre-assigned weight, as outlined in the weight value table, to calculate the total score.
The Formula : The Total Score = ∑ (Answer Points x Value Weight) For the interpretation of results, it is imperative to determine both the maximum score (X) and the minimum value (Y) for assessment items according to the following formula : Y = the highest Likert score x the total number of respondents X = the lowest Likert score x the total number of respondents Once the total score of the respondent is determined, their interpretive assessment is derived from the value generated through the application of the Index % formula.

Results and Discussion
Acording to [8], community empowerment aims to enhance a community's selfreliance and its ability to develop the skills needed for resolving internal challenges.This empowerment encompasses endeavors to augment both individual and collective capacities within the community, enabling them to address a spectrum of issues tied to the enhancement of their quality of life, self-sufficiency, and overall well-being.Specifically, the empowerment of coastal women constitutes a concerted endeavor aimed at enhancing their involvement, quality of life, and socio-economic status within coastal regions.This involves a comprehensive array of strategies and actions designed to provide women with improved access to resources, education, employment opportunities, and greater control over decisions that influence their lives.
According to the research findings, women's empowerment initiatives in Kuala Sempang Village, Bintan Regency, are facilitated by the Social Service through the Social Welfare Program, which involves the establishment of Joint Business Groups (KUBE) dedicated to undertaking economically productive ventures.The formation of KUBE is undertaken with the primary aim of augmenting household income and promoting social well-being.There exist five KUBE groups, each comprising ten housewives, distributed across five villages within Kuala Sempang Village, namely the Melati Group, whose members are situated in Simpang Village and Tanjung Arang Village; the Dahlia Group; the Raya Group; Pelita Baru Jaya in Pelita Baru Village; and the White Orchid Group, located in Lepan Village.
The Joint Business Group (KUBE) has been operational for approximately three years, and it is overseen by a dedicated liaison officer from the Social Service, responsible for direct engagement with KUBE participants in empowerment activities.A selection of empowerment activities for coastal women in Kuala Sempang Village through KUBE includes the following: 1. Training programs encompassing skills development pertaining to the processing of fishery products, including the production of items such as crackers and meatballs.2. Entrepreneurship training fosters an entrepreneurial mindset, educating participants on launching businesses, harnessing natural resources and market opportunities, and furnishing them with essential skills and business capital for their enterprise.3. Economic empowerment initiatives encompass the provision of access to both capital and markets.Here, the group is aided by a facilitator in crafting business proposals, aligning with the objectives of local council and district and provincial governments.Additionally, the facilitator extends support in online sales and partnerships, such as collaboration with PT BIE Lobam.
4. Business management training imparts knowledge about the effective administration of business finances and bookkeeping, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the business's profitability and loss 5.The dissemination of information related to business licensing procedures, which encompasses the acquisition of a Business Master Number, Home Industrial Production Certificate, and HALAL Certification Empowerment initiatives yield a favorable influence on coastal women, particularly the spouses of fishermen, aiming to enhance household incomes.The establishment of KUBE serves as a platform for women residing in Kuala Sempang Village to enhance their competencies and knowledge in managing productive economic enterprises.Before their involvement in KUBE, a significant portion of the participants comprised homemakers with no source of income.With KUBE, they initiated the following business endeavors: Based on interviews with KUBE facilitators, it is evident that women exhibit significant enthusiasm for these empowerment initiatives.This is apparent through their consistent attendance at scheduled activities, the vibrancy of the group, and the enduring sustainability of their business endeavors within KUBE.These empowerment activities typically take place at the village hall, coordinated in collaboration with the Kuala Sempang village government, and through group leader-hosted meetings.
The coastal women's participation level in empowerment activities encompasses three distinct stages: planning, implementation, and evaluation.The degree of their engagement in these stages is depicted in the subsequent table:  Based on the data presented in the table above, it is evident that the participation of coastal women in empowerment activities within Kuala Sempang Village falls within the high category, with an average percentage of 92.7%.The active involvement of women is an integral component of efforts to empower them, as it reflects their awareness, motivation, and capacity to enhance their quality of life through engagement in empowerment initiatives.The robust participation of coastal women in empowerment activities underscores their strong determination to support their families.Furthermore, the access provided to coastal women through these empowerment activities serves as a catalyst, encouraging them to actively engage in every stage of such initiatives and realize their associated benefits.Insights from interviews with the facilitator of the Joint Business Group corroborate this enthusiasm, evident in the consistent presence of women during activity invitations, the group's dynamic nature, and the sustainability of the businesses they operate through the Joint Business Group.
Interviews with research participants revealed that involvement in empowerment activities can yield positive economic outcomes in endeavors to augment household income.One of the participants, Hamidah (49 years old), who has been a member of a Joint Business Group (KUBE) for over three years, shared her perspective: 'Thankfully, being part of KUBE has brought about significant transformations in my life as a homemaker.I've acquired skills in processing fishery products, such as making crackers.The proceeds from this venture serve multiple purposes, from providing snacks for my children to purchasing daily essentials and assisting my husband.
"Participation in empowerment activities bolstered my self-assurance to venture into a business, leveraging the skills I had acquired.Previously, the idea of generating income through my own business had never crossed my mind."(Julaiha, 33 years old) "The empowerment initiatives facilitated by social services enabled me to launch a pastry business in collaboration with fellow group members, with the profits serving as a means to fund my children's education."(Liswati, 48 years old) Empowerment initiatives prove highly advantageous for coastal women, who shoulder a dual responsibility as homemakers and contributors to their families' livelihoods.The empowerment of women also facilitates income diversification, ensuring families do not rely on a sole income source.Income diversification plays a pivotal role in enhancing economic resilience within households, fortifying them against the vulnerabilities associated with coastal livelihoods.Participation of women in KUBE activities is associated with skill enhancement and augmented household income.This suggests a favorable influence of the current empowerment initiatives

CONCLUSION
The participation of women in empowerment activities within Kuala Sempang Village registers within the high category, boasting an average percentage of 92.7%, which notably contributes to skill development and increased family income in the locality.Additionally, empowering women plays a pivotal role in income diversification, mitigating the reliance on a single income source, thereby bolstering economic resilience within families and enhancing their ability to withstand the risks associated with coastal livelihoods.

Table 1 .
Gradation of participation level indicators

Table 2 .
Productive Economic Ventures Undertaken by Joint Business Groups (KUBE):

Table 3 .
Participation Level of Coastal Women in the Planning Phase of Empowerment Initiatives

Table 4 .
The level of participation of coastal women in the implementation stage of empowerment

Table 5 .
The level of participation of coastal women in the evaluation stage of empowerment