Water insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa significantly drains women's time and energy, worsening the financial constraints that already limit their economic empowerment. Despite this, little research has examined the role of social protection programs and cash transfers in addressing water insecurity. This study examined the combined impact of Ghana's Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) program on household water access and its ability to enhance household water infrastructure. We conducted a natural experiment by comparing the experiences of water insecurity among 267 LEAP beneficiaries and 290 extremely poor households on the Ghana National Household Registry (GNHR). Experiences of water insecurity were measured using the 12-item Household Water Insecurity Experiences (HWISE) scale. The data was collected in six communities served by community-based piped supply programs in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Simple and multiple linear regression were applied to assess the relationship between participation in LEAP and water insecurity, and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to evaluate the likelihood of owning durable water storage containers. The results show a strong positive association between LEAP beneficiary households and water insecurity (β = 5.88, 95% CI [4.69, 7.07], p < .001), as well as being enrolled in LEAP and owning a water storage container (OR = 5.65, 95% CI [3.72, 8.57]; p < .001). Women's active participation in group credit schemes also independently reduced the likelihood of water insecurity (β = -1.39, 95% CI [-269, -0.09], p = .037) and more than doubled the odds of owning a water storage container (OR = 2.33, 95% CI [1.51, 3.59]; p < .001). This research indicates that cash transfer programs, in conjunction with community-based credit programs, could address some of the structural barriers to water insecurity in communities with piped water systems. Social protection programs could incorporate women-centered savings schemes to enhance water security benefits, reduce gendered time poverty, and support Sustainable Development Goals 5 and 6.

ABSTRACT Tribal women in India encounter deep-rooted structural barriers to economic, social, and educational empowerment. Despite their significant contributions to household sustenance through unpaid labour and informal economic activities, these efforts remain largely unrecognised, perpetuating cycles of poverty and dependency. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining a structured survey with a literature review, to examine the impact of microfinance on capability development among tribal women in Dahod district, Gujarat, from 2023 to 2024. This study makes three contributions to existing literature. First, it is among the first to apply propensity score matching within a convergent parallel mixed-methods design to assess microfinance impacts specifically on Bhil and Rathwa tribal women – a population systematically excluded from mainstream microfinance scholarship that tends to subsume tribal experiences under general rural categories. Second, the study operationalises an intersectional feminist framework alongside Capability Approach to disentangle how indigeneity, gender, and geographic marginality compound capability deprivations. Third, the integration of qualitative case studies with quasi-experimental estimates provides analytical depth rarely achieved in single-method impact evaluations in tribal contexts. The findings reveal that microfinance interventions significantly increase income-generating activities, leading to improved economic agency and enhanced social empowerment. However, overall impact remains constrained by persistent structural barriers. These findings are grounded in the specific socio-cultural and geographic context; while they offer analytical insights transferable to similar tribal settings, they are not statistically generalisable to the broader tribal population across India. The study concludes that achieving sustained and scalable outcomes requires coordinated efforts between government and non-governmental organisations.

This study aims to analyze the management strategy of Fly Ash and Bottom Ash (FABA) waste at Holtekamp Coal-Fired Power Plant (PLTU Holtekamp) in Jayapura to support local community economic empowerment. The study addresses the gap between the potential utilization of FABA as an economic resource and the limited implementation of its utilization at the community level. A qualitative approach with a case study design was employed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, field observations, and document analysis involving power plant management, local community members, academics, and village government representatives as key informants. The data were analyzed using thematic coding techniques and mapped within a SWOT framework to identify internal and external factors influencing FABA management. The findings reveal that FABA possesses significant potential as an alternative construction material; however, its utilization remains constrained by limited technical capacity, institutional support, and public perception. The study highlights the importance of community-based empowerment approaches and multi-stakeholder collaboration in optimizing FABA utilization. This research contributes to the development of locally based circular economy concepts and provides practical implications for policy formulation and community empowerment models. Future studies are recommended to adopt quantitative approaches to comprehensively assess the economic impacts of FABA utilization.

Growing evidence identifies linkages between drought and flooding and poorer sexual health outcomes, yet adolescents and youth are understudied in this research. We aimed to explore the lived experiences of adolescents and youth regarding the associations between drought/flooding, resource insecurity, and sexual health in Mathare and Kisumu, Kenya. We conducted a multi-method qualitative study in Mathare, an urban informal settlement in Nairobi, and Kisumu and adjacent fishing communities, with a purposive sample of youth aged 16-24 years. We conducted SenseMaker individual interviews with the web-based tool, followed by group-based digital storytelling workshops. We conducted framework thematic analysis guided by the resource insecurity framework. SenseMaker participants included n=20 youth (Kisumu: n=10 women; Mathare: n=5 women and n=5 men), followed by four group-based digital storytelling workshops with 33 youth (Kisumu: n=9 women; Mathare: n=8 mothers, n=8 men; n=8 women). There were 42 unique participants. Participant narratives reflected the following themes: (1) drought and flooding exacerbate multiple resource insecurities (food, water, sanitation, menstruation); (2) increased resource insecurity-related transactional sex; (3) drought, flooding, and resource insecurities increase risks of sexual and gender-based violence; and (4) youth recommend structural- and community-level strategies for promoting sexual health. Findings from a sample of youth in two climate-affected Kenyan settings identify complex pathways from drought and flooding to sexual health, particularly through resource insecurity, transactional sex, and sexual and gender-based violence. Findings can guide the integration of extreme weather and sexual health programming with youth to integrate economic empowerment and sexual and gender-based violence reduction to advance equity and rights.

Recently, many people have been discussing the idea of diversity in politics and society. However, one cannot help but wonder what exactly this "diversity" is referring to; is it only an outward show, or does it have practical benefits that require institutional support from public policy? Although diversity is both intrinsically and extrinsically beneficial, these values will be better realised through equal opportunity and merit-based channels rather than by mandatory affirmative action quotas. Based on the classical theories of justice and recognition, as well as current empirical studies and policies, three national cases are analyzed in this paper—post-apartheid Black Economic Empowerment in South Africa, preferential college admission policies for ethnic minorities in China, and the United States context after Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (2023). Although the mandatory diversity plan has raised the proportion of some groups to a certain extent in a short time, tokenism and social discontent may also be emerging; thus, the aim of cultivating all-around diversity will not be fully achieved. On the other hand, a merit-and-opportunity system can produce diversity naturally by expanding access to it; it is not a result of special arrangements for particular groups. Expanding educational and economic opportunities provides more stable ways for people to achieve the purpose of diversity.

ABSTRACT This qualitative investigation examines the multifaceted dimensions of women’s empowerment as a pivotal protective determinant against intimate partner violence (IPV) within the unique sociocultural landscape of Iran. Employing an inductive, conventional content analysis methodology rooted in 31 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with Iranian women, this study transcends conventional theoretical frameworks to reveal culturally embedded constructs of empowerment. Analytical rigor was achieved through the Granheim and Lundman five-step process, facilitated by MAXQDA software, which identified four primary empowerment domains: Skill/Communication Empowerment, Psychological Empowerment, Economic Empowerment, and Spiritual Empowerment. These domains encompass a broad spectrum of capabilities, including negotiation and decision-making skills, emotional self-regulation, assertiveness, social support networks, economic autonomy, perceived legal rights, resilience, and spiritual hope. This study emphasizes the multidimensional and culturally nuanced nature of empowerment that facilitates women’s agency to prevent, manage, and recover from IPV. The findings offer vital, evidence-based insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers dedicated to designing targeted, culturally informed interventions and empowerment programs to combat IPV and promote gender equity in Iran and comparable contexts. By integrating qualitative methodological rigor with cultural sensitivity, this research substantially contributes to the global discourse on IPV prevention and women’s empowerment as a fundamental human rights and public health priority.

Purpose This study explores the dynamics of entrepreneurial resilience and empowerment by examining the lived experiences of rural Indigenous Dayak women entrepreneurs in Sarawak, Malaysia. Focusing on this distinct group, the research investigates how access to resources, support mechanisms, and cultures and traditions shape the development of entrepreneurial resilience. The study further examines how such resilience facilitates personal, social, and economic empowerment among these women. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research approach was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with fourteen rural Indigenous Dayak women entrepreneurs. The interview data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify key themes related to entrepreneurial resilience and empowerment. Findings The findings reveal that the resilience of rural indigenous women entrepreneurs is shaped by a set of interconnected factors. Key challenges include balancing cultural values with business demands, coping with financial constraints, and navigating uncertainty in the business environment. At the same time, resilience is strengthened by access to financial and digital resources, strong family and community support, and supportive government initiatives. Cultures and traditions, particularly values emphasising sustainability, respect for the environment, and harmony with nature, play a critical role in guiding business practices and decision-making. Collectively, these elements foster personal growth, social recognition, and economic empowerment among the entrepreneurs. Originality/value This research offers valuable insights into the intersection of entrepreneurial resilience and empowerment among rural indigenous women entrepreneurs. By illuminating the experiences of a distinct and under-researched demographic, it extends existing scholarship on gender, entrepreneurship, and rural development. The study also offers practical implications for policymakers and development agencies seeking to design context-sensitive interventions that promote gender equality, strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystem, and advance sustainable rural economic development.

This research aimed to investigate how men's experiences of witnessing their fathers' violence toward their mothers are associated with their levels of patriarchal belief. The study sample comprised 361 Turkish men. The mean patriarchal belief score was 127.92 ± 45.95, and the mean score for witnessing fathers' violence against mothers in childhood was 12.18 ± 3.40. Positive and significant relationships were found between patriarchal belief levels and witnessing paternal violence during childhood (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that exposure to domestic violence influences patriarchal attitudes and emphasize the importance of education, economic empowerment, and social awareness efforts to promote gender equality.

Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) remains a major public health and human rights concern, with profound consequences for women's physical, psychological, and socioeconomic well-being. We report the case of a 32-year-old married woman and mother of two who experienced prolonged domestic violence, including physical, emotional, and economic abuse, compounded by her husband's alcohol dependence. Economic abuse escalated when debt incurred through a self-help group loan, intended to support the family's livelihood, was transferred to the survivor, reinforcing financial dependency and coercive control. Following a severe episode of physical violence that resulted in her displacement from the marital home, she sought support through a hospital-based crisis center established within a tertiary care women's hospital. Through crisis intervention, structured counseling, legal guidance, child welfare support, and employment assistance, the survivor achieved financial independence, secured safe accommodation, and initiated steps toward legal separation. This case highlights the often-overlooked role of economic abuse and debt bondage as mechanisms of control within abusive relationships. It also demonstrates the value of integrated, hospital-based crisis services and intersectoral collaboration in supporting survivors of violence. Strengthening routine identification of DVA within healthcare settings, expanding access to crisis centers, and promoting women's economic empowerment may contribute to improved safety and long-term recovery for survivors.

The agricultural sector faces unprecedented challenges including climate variability, resource inefficiency, lack of real-time market information, and limited access to precision farming technologies. This paper presents the design and implementation of Ekishan, a comprehensive AI-driven web-based agricultural platform developed using Python Flask. Ekishan integrates ten core smart farming modules including real-time weather detection, AIpowered crop recommendation, drone spraying coordination, satellite mapping, an intelligent AI assistant, pest and disease detection, live Mandi price aggregation, fertilizer optimization calculator, government scheme discovery, and GIS-based field mapping. The platform further provides a secure multi-language dashboard with role-based authentication, OTP-based password recovery, and real-time agricultural data visualization. Ekishan targets smallholder farmers, agricultural extension officers, and agribusiness professionals, offering an integrated digital ecosystem to improve decision-making, yield optimization, and rural economic empowerment.

Reproductive autonomy, the power to make decisions about and to control matters related to contraceptive use, pregnancy, and childbirth, is essential for women to attain their sexual and reproductive health and rights. We explored barriers and facilitators of reproductive autonomy among adolescent girls in western Uganda, a region marked by high rates of adolescent pregnancy and HIV prevalence. This qualitative inquiry involved 31 in-school and out-of-school adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years, purposively selected from diverse communities within Fort Portal city, western Uganda. Data were collected through individual interviews between September and November 2024 and analysed using framework thematic analysis guided by the three dimensions of reproductive autonomy: decision-making, communication, and freedom from coercion. The findings show an intricate interaction of individual, relational, and structural factors that shape adolescent girls’ reproductive autonomy, with commonalities and uniqueness based on schooling status. Key barriers included control by parents and partners in communication and decision-making, limited knowledge of girls on sexual and reproductive health, low self-efficacy to decide and implement decisions, financial dependence, and lack of life basics. Conversely, supportive relationships and schooling emerged as critical facilitators. In conclusion, enhancing reproductive autonomy requires multi-level and multi-faceted interventions to address the barriers while leveraging the facilitators. These should include household economic empowerment, parenting support programs, and policies that promote universal access to education.

Sub-Saharan Africa faces twice the incidence and up to fifteen times the fatality rate of cervical cancer compared to developed countries. Screening coverage remains low at 7-25.3%, far below the WHO target of 70%. Increasing women's knowledge about cervical cancer screening is crucial for improving uptake and reducing this high burden. The study was conducted among 50,584 reproductive-age women across seven Sub-Saharan African countries. A combination of filter and wrapper methods was applied for feature selection. Data preprocessing and management were performed using Stata version 17 and Python (Colab, version 3.10.2). MinMaxScaler, StandardScaler, and RobustScaler were applied to normalize variable ranges. One-hot encoding was used for nominal categories, and ordinal encoding was applied for features with an inherent order. The dataset was split using an 80; 20 (40,467: 10,117) ratio for training and testing. Eight algorithms were selected for model training and development, including Decision Tree, Random Forest, K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Light Gradient Boosting (LightGBM), Adaptive Boosting (AdaBoost), and Gradient Boosting (GB). Hyperparameter tuning was performed for XGBoost and LightGBM. Model performance was evaluated using Accuracy, AUC, F1 Score, Recall, and Precision. The XGBoost algorithm outperformed the other models, achieving an accuracy of 84%, an AUC of 82%, an F1 score of 83%, a recall of 82%, and a precision of 84%. Overall, 56% of reproductive-age women demonstrated good knowledge of cervical cancer screening. HIV status, educational status, media exposure, maternal age, health status, antenatal care attendance, wealth status, occupation, autonomy, place of delivery, distance to health facility, marital status, and fertility were identified as the top predictors of knowledge of cervical cancer screening. Knowledge of cervical cancer screening was low, at 56%, compared with the WHO target of 70%. Strengthen community-based educational programs through mass media, reinforce health education during antenatal care (ANC) follow-up and HIV programs, and implement strategies that promote women's autonomy, education, and economic empowerment are recommended.

This study aims to analyze the implementation of PSAK 101 and Islamic Corporate Governance (ICG) in Islamic cooperatives, as well as to identify the challenges in their application. Islamic cooperatives play a significant role in promoting financial inclusion and community economic empowerment; however, the quality of financial reporting and governance remains a major concern. This research adopts a qualitative approach using a case study method. Data were collected through interviews, documentation, and observation, and were analyzed using a descriptive-analytical approach with reference to PSAK 101 standards and the principles of Islamic Corporate Governance. The findings indicate that the implementation of PSAK 101 in Islamic cooperatives has not fully complied with the applicable standards, particularly in terms of incomplete financial statement presentation and insufficient disclosure. In addition, the implementation of Islamic Corporate Governance remains partial, especially in aspects of transparency, accountability, and the role of the Sharia Supervisory Board. This study contributes by identifying the gap between accounting standards and actual practices, and by offering recommendations to improve the quality of financial reporting and governance in Islamic cooperatives.

Rural women in developing countries often face significant barriers to employment, income generation, and access to productive resources. In Iran, medicinal plants (MPs) cultivation offers a sustainable pathway toward economic empowerment and livelihood resilience. This study develops and prioritizes strategies to enhance the livelihood sustainability of rural women through MPs cultivation using an integrated SWOT (Strengths – Weaknesses – Opportunities – Threats)–Fuzzy AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process)–TOWS (Threats– Opportunities – Weaknesses– Strengths) model. Data collected from experts in agricultural and rural development sectors were analyzed to evaluate internal and external strategic factors. The strategic space analysis revealed that internal strengths (0.473) outweighed weaknesses (0.128), while external opportunities (0.325) surpassed threats (0.092), indicating that the favorable strategic space (O + S = 0.798) dominated the risky space (T + W = 0.220). Twelve strategies were formulated and prioritized, among which two emerged as most critical: (1) economic empowerment of rural women through home-based MPs processing enterprises and (2) promotion of greenhouse-based cultivation as a sustainable alternative to wild harvesting. The findings highlight the importance of leveraging indigenous knowledge, improving branding and packaging, and strengthening institutional support to achieve sustainable rural livelihoods. The proposed hybrid framework provides a replicable analytical tool for policymakers to design context-specific interventions linking women's empowerment, biodiversity conservation, and rural economic sustainability.

ABSTRACT This qualitative study analyzes fifty anonymized posts from Palestinian Facebook support groups to understand how women rebuild identity and assert agency after divorce. Thematic analysis revealed six key themes: the need for self care, catalysts for separation, verbal and emotional abuse, conflicted love, supportive communities, and financial autonomy. The findings show that digital solidarity and economic empowerment facilitate decision making and self determination. This research highlights the need for accessible psychological counseling, legal advocacy recognizing emotional abuse, and tailored financial services, showing how women in conservative societies manage severe social stigma to reclaim their dignity and build independent new lives.

Experienced Stigma Related to Common Mental Illness and Alcohol Use Disorder in Rural Uganda: A Qualitative Study.

Child malnutrition is a complex disorder with long-term effects that can be traced to health outcomes, academic performance, and economic productivity. Although the problem is recognized globally, the burden of child malnutrition remains disproportionately high in Ghana. This study examined the magnitude, determinants, and socioeconomic complexities of child malnutrition in the North East Region of Ghana. Using a cross-sectional design with a quantitative approach, the study employed structured questionnaires to collect data from 1,347 mothers. The prevalence of malnutrition among under-five children in the North East Region was 14.3%. Among these, 65.6%, 13.0%, and 21.4% were underweight, stunted, and wasted, respectively. The respondents’ age (χ² = 58.227, p &lt; 0.001), marital status (χ² = 29.600, p &lt; 0.001), number of children (χ² = 34.620, p &lt; 0.001), educational level (χ² = 53.165, p &lt; 0.001), and occupation (χ² = 40.953, p &lt; 0.001) were socio-demographic characteristics that showed significant associations with the prevalence of malnutrition. Monthly income (Fisher’s exact test = 13.203, p &lt; 0.001), frequency of financial difficulties (Fisher’s exact test = 127.503, p &lt; 0.001), and type of financial support received (Fisher’s exact test = 13.119, p = 0.002) were economic factors significantly associated with the prevalence of malnutrition. The study also found significant associations between the prevalence of malnutrition and respondents’ ability to provide nutritious foods (Fisher’s exact test = 122.514, p &lt; 0.001), frequency of purchasing or receiving protein-rich foods (Fisher’s exact test = 47.276, p &lt; 0.001), percentage of household income spent on food (χ² = 22.828, p &lt; 0.001), age at which children were introduced to solid foods (χ² = 108.727, p &lt; 0.001), respondents’ knowledge of nutrition (χ² = 5.718, p = 0.020), family traditions related to nutrition (χ² = 100.978, p &lt; 0.001), availability of food (χ² = 34.810, p &lt; 0.001), and adherence to health professionals’ advice on child feeding and nutrition (χ² = 76.023, p &lt; 0.001). These results highlight that both structural socioeconomic constraints and behavioural practices contribute substantially to the burden of malnutrition in the region. A comprehensive, multisectoral approach should be implemented that integrates nutrition education, economic empowerment, and improved access to diverse and nutritious foods, while strengthening health system support for optimal child feeding practices, particularly among socioeconomically vulnerable households.

ABSTRACTBackground and AimsGender‐based violence (GBV) remains a critical global health and human rights issue, with one in three women affected worldwide. Local evidence on its prevalence and determinants is limited in the study area. This study aims to determine the magnitude of GBV, identify and explore associated and aggravating factors among reproductive‐age women in the Awi Zone Administration, Amhara Region.MethodsA community‐based mixed‐method study, combining a cross‐sectional survey and an exploratory qualitative design, was conducted in February 2025. Quantitative data were collected using a semi‐structured questionnaire, while qualitative data were gathered through key informant interviews. Data was entered into EpiData 4.6 and analyzed in SPSS version 26. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regressions were employed to identify factors associated with the outcome variables. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically, and findings from both approaches were triangulated.ResultsA total of 735 women participated in the study (95.4% response rate). Overall, 57.0% (95% CI: 53%–61%) reported experiencing at least one form of GBV in the past 12 months. Multivariate analysis showed that lack of education [AOR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.02–2.28], alcohol use [AOR = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.19–2.32], low wealth index [AOR = 1.76; 95% CI: 1.22–2.52] and being employed [AOR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.22–0.74] were associated with GBV. Qualitative findings revealed GBV was widely reported and normalized, manifesting as physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. Poverty, low education, substance use, and weak legal systems fueled its occurrence.ConclusionGBV is widespread and culturally normalized, fueled by low education, poverty, alcohol use, and weak legal enforcement, whereas employment offers some protection. Therefore, women's education and economic empowerment should be strengthened, legal protections enforced, and community‐based interventions implemented to shift cultural norms and reduce GBV.

Undernutrition among lactating mothers remains a major public health concern, particularly in low-resource settings such as Ethiopia. Adequate maternal nutrition during lactation is essential for the health and wellbeing of both mothers and their children. Bayesian logistic regression was employed in this study because it provides robust parameter estimation under uncertainty and allows the incorporation of prior information. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of undernutrition and identify its associated factors among lactating mothers in Jimma Town, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 20 to April 25, 2024, among lactating mothers residing in Jimma Town. A total of 423 participants were selected using systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed using R software. Bayesian logistic regression was implemented using Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulation, and posterior adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% credible intervals (CrIs) were estimated to identify factors associated with undernutrition. The prevalence of undernutrition among lactating mothers was 21.5% (95% CrI: 17.6%-25.4%). Factors associated with higher odds of undernutrition included low dietary diversity (OR = 2.62, 95% CrI: 1.37-4.60), maternal age 15-25 years (OR = 4.33, 95% CrI: 2.85-6.38), meal frequency fewer than three times per day (OR = 5.44, 95% CrI: 3.67-7.96), and practicing food taboos (OR = 6.39, 95% CrI: 4.32-9.39). Protective factors included maternal employment (OR = 0.42, 95% CrI: 0.21-0.76), monthly income ≥ 6000 ETB (OR = 0.12, 95% CrI: 0.05-0.24), family size fewer than five members (OR = 0.47, 95% CrI: 0.29-0.70), receiving nutritional counseling (OR = 0.59, 95% CrI: 0.30-0.99), attending antenatal care visits (OR = 0.27, 95% CrI: 0.12-0.53), birth interval of at least two years (OR = 0.02, 95% CrI: 0.003-0.07), and breastfeeding frequency fewer than six times per day (OR = 0.03, 95% CrI: 0.008-0.055). These extreme protective estimates should be interpreted cautiously due to the cross-sectional study design and the potential influence of sparse data or residual confounding. Nearly one in every five lactating mothers in Jimma Town is undernourished. Undernutrition was significantly associated with multiple factors, including the mother's age, family size, employment status, monthly income, dietary diversity, nutritional counseling, breastfeeding frequency, birth interval, antenatal care visits, frequency of meals, and the practice of food taboos. These findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive, targeted nutrition interventions and educational programs that address not only dietary habits but also broader determinants such as family planning, maternal education, economic empowerment, and access to health services.

Purpose: This Community Service Program (PkM) aimed to strengthen community economic independence through home industry-based Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) production training for unemployed community members in Serang City, Banten. The program addressed unemployment issues and the limited utilization of local resources for productive economic activities. Method: The program employed a participatory training approach involving lectures, demonstrations, hands-on practice, interactive discussions, and mentoring sessions. Training materials included coconut selection, VCO processing techniques, hygiene and quality control, packaging, and basic marketing strategies. The activity involved productive unemployed residents as the main participants. Practical Applications: The program provides practical benefits by equipping participants with entrepreneurial knowledge and technical skills that can be applied to establish sustainable home-based businesses, create additional income sources, and support local economic development. Conclusion: The program improved participants’ knowledge and practical skills in VCO production and increased motivation to develop independent businesses, contributing to community economic empowerment and unemployment reduction.