Women’s empowerment and blue economy transformation: a PESTLE perspective on smart and green marine development

Abstract The blue economy, a global paradigm integrating economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social equity, is crucial for Indonesia’s development. Coastal women are pivotal to this framework, acting as both household managers and entrepreneurs in sectors like fisheries and ecotourism. However, their contributions are limited by systemic barriers, including a lack of finance, inadequate training, and low digital literacy. This study uses the PESTLE framework to analyze external factors affecting women’s empowerment in Indonesia’s blue economy. Through a mixed-methods approach with women-led micro and small enterprises, the research found that economic and environmental challenges are the most significant. Social and technological constraints follow, while political and legal support for gender inclusivity is underdeveloped. The findings emphasize the vital role of cooperatives and community groups in empowerment, highlighting the urgent need for gender-sensitive policies, financial inclusion, and digital capacity-building. The study contributes to gender and development literature by integrating structural and ecological perspectives and provides evidence-based recommendations for policymakers.