Socio-Economic Impacts of ECER-Human Capital Development Programmes in Empowering the Rural Women of Malaysia

Abstract

The contribution and roles of women in the well-being of the family and nation building are fairly visible in Malaysia. However, a study by the World Bank discovered that married women in Malaysia in fact have the lowest participation in the workforce. In addressing this problem, the Malaysian East Coast Economic Region (ECER) policy has come up with various socio-economic programmes to overcome this challenge. This study aims to analyse the impacts of the human capital development initiatives on women in the rural ECER states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, andthe district ofMersingin Johor. This study uses the quantitative method by administering a set of questionnaires to 147 women respondents across the ECER states. It also uses the qualitative approach involving in-depth interviewswith ten key informants and a sessionof Focused-Group Discussion. It also included direct observation, as well as literary research. The outcome of this study finds improvement in the women’s occupational involvement and their income. This study also discovers that rural women are naturally empowered by the programme.