A Model for Empowering Women in Strengthening Village Fund Oversight Systems to Prevent Corruption

Abstract

This paper examines the development of a community-based empowerment model that enhances the role of women—particularly mothers—in strengthening oversight mechanisms for village fund management as a strategy to prevent corruption. Village funds, which play a crucial role in supporting rural development in Indonesia, remain vulnerable to misappropriation due to limited transparency, weak institutional controls, and low community participation in monitoring processes. Women, as influential actors in both household and community spheres, possess significant potential to contribute to corruption prevention through social oversight, advocacy, and participatory decision-making in village governance. Using a qualitative approach supported by literature review and case analysis, this study identifies key components of an empowerment model, including capacity building, digital literacy training, community monitoring groups, and integration of women’s voices in village deliberation forums. The findings highlight that empowering women not only increases transparency and accountability but also fosters a culture of integrity at the grassroots level. This study concludes that strengthening women’s participation can serve as an effective tool for improving village fund governance and reducing the risk of corruption in rural communities.