Empowering Indonesian Female Migrant Workers through Home-Based Industry Training in Malaysia: An International Community Service Initiative

Abstract

This study aims to empower Indonesian female migrant workers in Malaysia through home-based industry training as part of an international community service initiative aligned with the Tri Dharma of Higher Education. The programme was conducted over three days, from 23 to 25 January 2025, involving 34 participants and applying a training-based approach that integrates conceptual understanding of women’s economic empowerment with practical entrepreneurial skills. The implementation emphasised interactive learning to enhance engagement and contextual relevance. The findings show that the program raised participants' awareness of other economic opportunities, especially in informal and home-based areas, and enhanced their knowledge on starting small-scale ventures businesses using limited resources. In addition, participants demonstrated stronger motivation to enhance household income and a more proactive economic orientation. These results indicate that brief, focused training programs can be a good starting point for helping migrant women gain economic strength. The program also emphasizes the significance of international community service to share knowledge across borders and contribute to academic efforts. However, the short time frame and lack of follow-up processes could impact the long-term sustainability. Overall, the initiative demonstrates that integrating empowerment concepts with practical training can generate meaningful socio-economic benefits for migrant workers and contribute to the broader discourse on international community engagement.