It is largely assumed that Islamic microfinance institutions (IMFIs) deal with family empowerment instead of women’s empowerment. However, women are the main beneficiaries of Baitul Maal Wat Tamwil (BMT), Indonesia’s first IMFIs. This paper aims to explore the origins, the initiators, and the visions of BMTs and the extent to which they intersect with women’s empowerment. Employing a qualitative approach, this study selected four BMTs in Yogyakarta as a case study. It found that four critical groups that have a significant role in the development of Indonesian BMTs: ICMI (Association of Indonesian Muslim Intellectual), Islamic mass organizations, NGOs, and local governments. The issues of loan sharks and poverty alleviation were the primary factors driving the inception of BMTs. Despite women being crucial clients, none of the studied BMTs explicitly invoked women’s empowerment in their organizational vision. To conclude, the BMTs’ preference for women is not based on an understanding of gender inequality, but rather motivated by pragmatic business considerations, particularly the self-sustainability paradigm that underpins their practices.

This study will provide an overview of how migrant worker protection policies should govern all forms of protection for migrant workers, especially women workers who often face violent abuse as overseas domestic workers in receiving countries, and then problems when they return to their villages. It outlines several laws that deal with problems of abuse associated with migration such as the Law Eradication of Trafficking in Person, and other regulation. Indonesia Government has made a good initiative by amending the policies of migrant workers with the aim of prioritizing protection, including how to harmonize other policies. This is a good starting point for implementing all commitments to the extent that commitments to protect migrant workers, especially women migrant workers who are still vulnerable to violence and threats of trafficking.

No abstract

This study explores the efforts of Indonesian women entrepreneurs to sustain their businesses during the COVID-19 crisis of 2020–2021. Focusing on female-owned businesses in Yogyakarta, this research places particular emphasis on how social media contributes to their survival. Using a quantitative approach to analyze data collected from 130 respondents, the researchers found that the pandemic has severely affected women entrepreneurs—especially those operating SMEs. Most significantly, women have experienced reduced income due to decreased sales, disrupted supply chains, and difficulty paying credit instalments. Although women entrepreneurs are particularly vulnerable to economic shocks, most lack access to assistance from government and private programmes. This study also sheds light on social media's Important role in saving women's businesses. Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram have become the main instruments through which women market their businesses and reach new audiences. Aggressive promotions, accompanied by attractive offers such as discounts and additional services, have helped women entrepreneurs reduce their losses. Overall, we conclude that women entrepreneurs found innovative ways to survive their businesses during a time of crisis.

Desa Kumendung terletak di kecamatan Muncar, Kabupaten Banyuwangi, mempunyai luassebesar 5,37 km2, dengan jumlah penduduk sebanyak 6.135 jiwa. Mata pencaharian utamapenduduknya adalah sebagai nelayan, petani, dan peternak. Sub sektor peternakan mempunyaiperan yang sangat penting bagi kehidupan masyarakat desa Kumendung.Jumlah ternak yang cukup banyak di desa Kumendung memberikan dampak terhadappencemaran lingkungan. Kotoran ternak ruminansia yang ada belum diolah menjadi pupukorganik maupun sumber energi yang dapat dimanfaatkan oleh warga. Kotoran ternakruminansia yang tidak dikelola dengan baik dapat menurunkan kualitas lingkungan. Gasmethana (CH4) yang dihasilkan oleh kotoran sapi merupakan penyumbang terbesar pada efekrumah kaca.Masyarakat desa Kumendung saat ini masih banyak yang menggunakan kayu sebagai bahanbakar. Penggunaan kayu sebagai bahan bakar dapat digantikan dengan briket yang berbahanbaku dari kotoran ternak ruminansia. Briket kotoran ternak ruminansia sebagai bahan bakarpengganti kayu bakar dapat menurunkan dampak lingkungan yang diakibatkan oleh limbahkotoran ternak dan dapat mengurangi penebangan pohon. Selain itu, briket mempunyaikeuntungan ekonomis karena dapat diproduksi secara sederhana, memiliki nilai kalor yangtinggi, dan ketersediaan bahan bakunya melimpah di Indonesia sehingga dapat bersaing denganbahan bakar lain.Pemanfaatan teknologi tepat guna yang akan dilakukan melalui kegiatan pengabdianmasyarakat ini diharapkan dapat membantu mitra sasaran dalam memanfaatkan, mengolah,serta menambah added value limbah ternak ruminansia, sehingga perekonomian masyarakatjuga dapat ikut terangkat. Selain bekerja dengan mata pencaharian utamanya, masyarakat desaKumendung juga dapat mendapatkan penghasilan tambahan, atau setidaknya menekanpengeluaran untuk membeli bahan bakar berupa kayu maupun gas elpiji.