Women participation in rural development particularly in community-based tourism

Abstract

Community-based tourism, is often recognized as a good example of sustainable tourism development that creates employment and income. Sustainable development includes long term positive economic, social and environmental perspective. Community development is emphasized in rural area as a part of development agenda that benefits local community thus can be used as a tool to reduce poverty in rural area. This paper focuses on women participation in rural development initiative of Kampung Mangkuk, Setiu that has been identified as a case study to show their involvement in community-based tourism through women’s organization which is PEWANIS and KUNITA. These organizations receive an initiative from Nestle Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. and WWF to enhance the livelihoods of local communities particularly women group by providing an opportunities for them to participate in sustainable development program. Thus, this paper will answer the research objective which is to identify the role and potential of women’s organization in order to empower local women in rural area. Local women are provided with relevant skills and knowledge to enable them to participate in sustainable community development program. Initial observation found that, local women are actively involved in women’s organization by participating in various type of socio-economic activities in their area. Through existing women’s organization, local women are encouraged to participate in socio-economic opportunities such as small business activities and environmental awareness like conserve the mangroves and wetlands, that can be an attraction for local tourism in their area. Hence,by describing the roles of women’s organization, it is an effort to increase the status of local women and to evaluate women performance in community-based tourism initiatives particularly in rural area. The majority of local women expressed a positive view with the effectiveness of efforts from women's organizations in improving the lives of local women in their area.