Empowerment of rural women: A study of Women Economic Group (WEG) of Kuala Teriang, Langkawi, Kedah

Women today are not only a wife, mother or daughter but also an income earner. The role of women is seen to be broad and includes various fields. In the past, the role of women were more visible in the of the household affairs such as doing a house keeping job, giving birth to babies and raising them. Now, the role of women is increasingly complex. Women today are not only capable of generating family incomes but also contribute significantly to country’s economy in general. In Malaysia rapid economic development has consequently incerased family’s cost of living. The cost of basic goods has steadily increased which requires economy of the family to be strengthened. If previuosly women were housewives, today they feel the needs to be more responsible in helping their husbands to earn additional income to sustain the wellfare of their family. The present article discusses the role of women in helping their husbands earning supplementry family income through their involvement in Women Economic Group (WEG). The study was conducted in 2009 using a survey method and in-depth interviews to obtain data and information. Results of the study showed that members of WEG are able to help generate additional family incomes and even capable of empowering themselves through their working experiences and trainings that they have undergone.