Women in the highland areas of Banjarnegara Regency face structural challenges, including limited access to education, capital, market information, and the persistence of patriarchal cultural norms. In this context, women’s groups play a strategic role in enhancing the social and economic capacity of rural women. This article aims to analyze the role of women’s groups in improving both social cohesion and economic empowerment among their members. The study employs a descriptive qualitative approach, conducted in several highland villages, using secondary data from the Office of Agriculture of Banjarnegara, a survey, and document analysis. Findings indicate that women’s groups serve not only as platforms for mutual support and knowledge exchange but also as engines for improving women's skills, knowledge, and bargaining power in both household and community spheres. Activities such as vocational training, joint business ventures, and savings groups significantly contribute to household income and women’s economic independence. However, obstacles such as limited market access, lack of institutional support, and women’s double burden remain persistent challenges. The study highlights the need for synergistic collaboration among local governments, educational institutions, and the private sector to strengthen the sustainability and institutional capacity of women’s groups. These findings support the argument that group-based empowerment is an effective strategy for socio-economic development in upland rural areas. Institutional support for women's groups of farmers strengthens impact in social-economics, capital, and market access, but also faces challenges in maintaining motivation and expanding impact.
Hastuti et al. (Tue,) studied this question.