Empowering microenterprises digitally: research reflections on women in Jakarta's fish processing sector

This article reflects on a qualitative study of women microentrepreneurs in Jakarta's fish-processing sector and their engagement with digital technologies. Based on the fieldwork conducted between 2021 and 2024, the study draws on participant observation and in-depth interviews with 25 women processors from coastal Jakarta and the Thousand Islands, supported by collaboration with local extension officers. Ethical considerations were addressed through verbal consent and participant anonymity. The findings show that women's digital participation is constrained not only by technical barriers, such as limited devices and unstable connectivity, but also by structural and cultural factors, including household power relations and patriarchal norms. While some participants demonstrated enthusiasm for experimenting with information and communication technologies, many remained dependent on family members or extension officers, reinforcing patterns of digital inequality within domestic and community contexts. Despite these constraints, peer-to-peer learning groups and localised mentoring emerged as effective strategies for building confidence and practical skills. The article highlights the importance of participatory and context-sensitive digital interventions that extend beyond infrastructure provision. It argues that digital empowerment initiatives should involve families, strengthen community-based mentoring and integrate basic digital safety practices to support more inclusive and sustainable outcomes.