STRENGTHENING INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY OF WOMEN’S MSMES FOR COMMUNITY WELFARE IN KONAWE REGENCY

This study examines the institutional capacity development of women’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Konawe Regency, Indonesia, and their role in improving community welfare. Despite government initiatives, women’s MSMEs still face major challenges in rural areas. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, the study involved five informants—government officials and women entrepreneurs—through interviews, focus group discussions, observations, and document analysis. The findings indicate that institutional capacity is hindered by structural, socio-cultural, and economic barriers such as domestic role burdens, limited credit access, low business literacy, and poor digital infrastructure. Although some local initiatives exist, they are often unsustainable due to weak institutional support and a lack of stakeholder collaboration. The study proposes a community-based, collaborative model involving village-level women’s business groups, context-specific training, and gender-sensitive financial access. This model is expected to strengthen women’s institutional capacity, improve household welfare, and promote local economic resilience. The study contributes to gender-responsive institutional development discourse and offers practical recommendations for inclusive rural economic growth.