STRENGTHENING BIDAYUH WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN KAMPUNG SINGAI, SARAWAK THROUGH THE 3D-IMPAK MODEL FOR RURAL TRANSFORMATION

Abstract

Rural micro-entrepreneurship plays a pivotal role in advancing socio-economic development, yet it remains fragmented and vulnerable, particularly among women in Indigenous communities. In Malaysia, policy frameworks such as the MADANI Economy and the MyDIGITAL Blueprint 2021–2030 emphasize inclusive entrepreneurship and the pledge to “leave no one behind.” However, the realities on the ground reveal that Bidayuh women entrepreneurs in Kampung Singai continue to face significant challenges, including digital exclusion, weak branding capacity, restricted market access, and limited support networks. These structural barriers prevent them from fully engaging with national agendas and leveraging opportunities in the digital economy.This article introduces the 3D-IMPAK Model, a community-driven framework designed to strengthen Bidayuh women entrepreneurs by integrating Digital Transformation, Indigenous Empowerment, and Social Enterprise. The model reframes rural entrepreneurship as a pathway not only for economic growth but also for cultural resilience, digital inclusion, and women’s collective agency. By promoting digital literacy, advancing indigenous branding, and fostering peer-based cooperative networks, the 3D-IMPAK approach addresses systemic gaps that hinder women’s participation and competitiveness.Aligned with Malaysia’s national strategies and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this framework highlights the transformative potential of empowering Indigenous women entrepreneurs as catalysts for rural development. Ultimately, the study demonstrates that strengthening Bidayuh women entrepreneurs through the 3D-IMPAK Model contributes to building resilience, enhancing market competitiveness, and preserving dignity in the digital era, offering a replicable approach for inclusive and sustainable rural transformation.