Analyzing Economic Empowerment Policy for Karawo Women Craftswomen: Integrated Holistic Social Approaches to Achieving Economic Equality in Gorontalo Province

Abstract

This study investigates economic empowerment policies targeting karawo women craftswomen in Gorontalo Province, Indonesia, a population that remains chronically underserved despite the cultural and economic significance of karawo embroidery as a regional heritage craft. Employing an integrated holistic social approach grounded in feminist political economy, social capital theory, and the human capability framework, this research critically analyzes the structural barriers, policy fragmentation, and gender-blind institutional arrangements that perpetuate economic inequality among craftswomen. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, data were collected through in-depth interviews with 45 participants including craftswomen, cooperative leaders, government officials, NGO representatives, and academic experts supplemented by focus group discussions and documentary analysis. Thematic analysis guided by NVivo coding identified ten substantive themes organized across five analytical dimensions: economic marginalization, social capital deficits, policy gaps, capacity limitations, and empowerment enablers. Findings reveal that existing policies are characterized by sectoral fragmentation, gender insensitivity, and insufficient stakeholder coordination, resulting in minimal impact on craftswomen's economic status. The study proposes a six-pillar integrated holistic economic empowerment framework (IHEEF) as a novel contribution to social policy design in Gorontalo Province. This framework offers a replicable model for similar artisan communities across Indonesia and the Global South.