Women’s Leadership in BUMDes Management: Empowerment Strategies, Structural Challenges, and Impacts on Local Economic Development

Abstract

This research examines the role of women’s leadership in the management of Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes), focusing on empowerment strategies, structural challenges, and their impact on local economic development. Despite the potential of women to drive economic growth in rural areas, their involvement in leadership roles within BUMDes has been limited by deeply ingrained gender biases and structural barriers. This study employs a library-based research methodology, analyzing primary and secondary data from relevant literature, including books, journals, and previous research on women’s empowerment, leadership in rural development, and local economic growth. The findings reveal that while empowerment strategies such as leadership training and capacity-building have shown positive effects, significant barriers still exist, including cultural norms and lack of access to resources. Women leaders in BUMDes have been found to contribute to more inclusive, sustainable development by focusing on social welfare and long-term community growth. The research underscores the need for policy interventions that support women’s leadership and address gender inequality in rural economic management, ultimately promoting more equitable local economic development.