| Abstrakt: |
The empowerment of women within the B40 group is a strategic step in addressing poverty issues and enhancing overall community well-being. However, many empowerment programs organized by government agencies often do not last long due to the mismatch between the potential and capacity of the participants and the requirements needed to implement these programs effectively. This study aims to develop a profile of B40 women in the Batu Pahat district of Johor, based on a community capital approach that includes three main components: economic capital, human capital, and digital capital. Constructing this profile is crucial for identifying the capacities and potentials of B40 women. Through this profile, a more specific and appropriate approach can be taken to empower women in this group. Utilizing a descriptive quantitative approach, a total of 301 B40 women respondents were randomly selected to participate in this study. Data were collected through a questionnaire that measures the characteristics of community capital using indicators such as frequency, mean, standard deviation, and percentage. The findings indicate that the respondents' level of economic capital is low. Conversely, the human capital of the respondents ranges from moderate to high, while digital capital is at a high level. These findings suggest that while B40 women have good access to digital technology, they still face economic constraints that hinder their full participation in economic development. Therefore, this study proposes a more holistic strategy for empowering B40 women, focusing on enhancing economic capital as a foundation for effectively reducing poverty. This study provides guidance to government bodies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector in designing development programs that better align with the needs of B40 women. By adopting a community capital approach, initiatives aimed at empowering B40 women can be better aligned with their social and economic realities, thereby contributing to the effectiveness of poverty reduction programs in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
