Media Literacy in Enhancing Women's Participation Towards
Sustainable Development Goals in Indonesian Plantation Communities
MAZDALIFAH MAZDALIFAH*, MOULITA MOULITA, NITA SAVITRI
Faculty of Social Sciences and Political Sciences,
Universitas Sumatera Utara,
Medan 20222,
INDONESIA
*Corresponding Author
Abstract: - One of the goals of the Sustainable Development Goals is to achieve gender equality and empower
women. The SDGs also mandate that women have ICT (Information and Communication Technology) skills.
ICT skills are essential as women's participation is maximized in sustainable development. Research Objective:
To identify the forms of women's participation in village development, especially media literacy skills in the
form of ICT. The research location was in an oil palm plantation in Sukaluwei Village, Bangun Purba Sub-
district, Deli Serdang Regency, Indonesia. Research informants were women who participated in development
at the research location. Data collection methods used in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and
observations. Data were collected through data reduction, presentation, analysis, and conclusion. The results
showed that women's participation in development generally occupies a position as members and leaders in
development activities in the village. They need help involving the community in activities and the difficulty of
meeting time to discuss or decide on an activity. The media literacy skills in the form of ICT possessed by
informants are the ability to use smartphones, where generally informants can use smartphones to send and
receive messages such as making invitations and sending them, searching for materials, and forwarding
important information back to the group. Based on the results of the in-depth interviews, media literacy
(especially the ability to use a smartphone) and ICT skills are critical in supporting their involvement in village
development. Media Literacy and ICT Skills Make Women's Participation Faster, Smoother, and More
Effective.
Key-Words: - Media, Literacy, Women, Participation, Sustainable, Development, Communities.
Received: May 26, 2023. Revised: February 16, 2024. Accepted: March 12, 2024. Published: April 24, 2024.
1 Introduction
Development is essential to advancing society in
one country, [1]. development is carried out in all
aspects of life, such as political, economic, social,
and cultural, [2]. Indonesia is a country with the
fifth largest population in the world. After 77 years
of independence, the state of Indonesia has made
much development in all aspects. Even though it has
not achieved the desired progress, Indonesia strives
for maximum development, [3]. One of his efforts is
to achieve sustainable development targets known
as the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
The government of Indonesia has supported
sustainable Village development in Indonesia
through the Village SDGs, which serve as
guidelines for the Village head in using Village
funds in 2021, [4]. Taman Desa has a strategic role
in achieving the SDGs. The focus of sustainable
development is Village community participation.
The Village law guarantees the role of the entire
community, including women, in the development
process, from planning, monitoring, and evaluation.
Women can become strategic actors in
development, not only in rural development but also
nationally, [5], [6]. that women are essential in
development was also highlighted by Muhajir, who
stated: to realize SDGs development and in the
context of empowering women, it is necessary to
prioritize development in rural women's groups,
which has not been optimally implemented so far,
[7].
Forms of women's participation in development
can be done in Posyandu activities, family welfare
development activities (PKK), involved Village
administration, educational activities, etc. in the
author's observation, women whose status as
housewives and who have children can participate
and carry out these roles efficiently. Even though
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DOI: 10.37394/232015.2024.20.13
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Moulita Moulita, Nita Savitri
E-ISSN: 2224-3496
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this participation has yet to be maximized, the role
of women in Village development must be
addressed. Overall, women's role in development is
critical, and their economic empowerment, access to
assets, and gender equality are critical for
sustainable development. Women are essential in
generating jobs, wealth, poverty alleviation, human
development, education, health, and nation-building,
especially in developing countries, [8].
Mastery of ICT or information and
communication technology is essential and becomes
a mandate on the SDGs agenda where women,
teenage girls, and girls master science, technology,
and innovation. Beijing Platform for Action
recommends that the government and stakeholders
advocate for women related to the low involvement
of women in this field, [9]. In addition, mastery of
information and communication technology is
needed to facilitate their participation in various
activities, [10]. Marcelle says it can benefit women
by improving their quality of life, [11]. In the era of
digital society, the ability of women to use media,
search for and disseminate information, analyze, and
select the information they receive, and message
messages in digital media, is essential. They must
obtain and disseminate much important information.
They select and analyze. Everything related to this
is called media literacy, a field in communication
science that requires everyone to be competent in
using media so that the media consumed will benefit
and support everyone's success.
Sukaluwei Village is in the oil palm plantation
area located in Deli Serdang Regency. This Village
has potential where women have been involved in
various development activities, as the head of the
hamlet, a member of the Village Consultative
Council (BPD), educational activities, Family
Welfare Development (PKK), and Posyandu. This
potential may still be maximized in the future,
considering that in the era of digital society, it is
essential for women to increase their capacity in
media literacy, like ICT mastery. The existence of
this mastery can increase their participation in
Village development to achieve SDGs.
This study explains the form of women's
participation in Sukaluwei Village in Village
development to achieve SDGs in Sukaluewi Village,
Bangun Purba district, deli Serdang Regency. How
is women's media literacy in ICT to increase
participation in Village development to achieve
SDGs in Sukaluwei Village, Bangun Purba district,
deli Serdang regency? How the urgency of media
literacy in ICT increases women's participation in
Village development to achieve SDGs in Sukaluwei
Village, Bangun Purba district, deli Serdang
Regency. The urgency of the research becomes the
input for the government of Sukaluwei Village,
Bangun Purba district, Deli Serdang, particularly the
government of Deli Serdang Regency, regarding
women's participation in Village development to
achieve SDGs development. Becomes the basis for
making women's empowerment policies, especially
women's empowerment in media literacy,
specifically, ICT mastery in increasing Village
development participation to achieve SDGs.
2 Problem Formulation
2.1 Media Literacy
Media literacy is vital in today's digital age,
especially for women's engagement in numerous
sectors. Previous research on the need for teacher
candidates discovered that gender-aware media
literacy training is required to counter gender
stereotypes in the media, [12]. Furthermore, a study
on critical media literacy and gender discovered that
small-scale curriculum units on gender stereotypes
effectively taught middle school students about
gender stereotypes and work, [13]. Furthermore, a
literature review on gender and media representation
discovered that media representation might
perpetuate gender stereotypes, objectification, and
sexualization, which can influence women's political
ambitions and the creation of STEM identities, [14].
Furthermore, an in-depth examination of social
media literacy reveals that social competency,
including involvement and morale, is fundamental
to social media literacy, [15].
According to a research study on the digital
gender gap for girls, internet access may empower
women and girls, improve community engagement,
and increase understanding of their rights, [16]. A
study on empowering Indonesian women through
digital media literacy development discovered that
digital media literacy might help women overcome
hurdles and engage in numerous industries, [17].
The study shows that media literacy is crucial for
women's participation in various fields, including
politics, STEM, and digital media. Media literacy
can help women overcome gender stereotypes,
enhance civic participation, and increase
understanding of their rights.
2.2 Women, ICT and Media Literacy
As evidenced by the well-documented digital gender
gap, women and girls frequently have lower digital
literacy levels and technology access. According to
a UNICEF research assessment on the digital gender
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gap for girls and women, low levels of digital
literacy and a lack of access to technology typically
impede digital adoption and use, [18]. A new study
investigates how women's digital literacy may be
driven and sustained through ICT literacy.
According to the study, lacking digital literacy skills
may inhibit women from participating in lifelong
learning and development, [19]. A meta-analysis
and systematic review published in NCBI study
gender differences in ICT use and technological
learning abilities. The review comprised 42 peer-
reviewed empirical publications and conference
proceedings published between 2006 and 2020. This
study showed significant inequalities in women's
support for ICT literacy, [20].
An article aimed at empowering Indonesian
women through increased digital media literacy.
According to this study, Indonesian women need
digital media literacy abilities to use the Internet
effectively and better their social and economic
standing, [17]. A survey of the information
published on ERIC from a gender perspective was
done to understand better the digital gender and
educational gaps in Latin America. The study found
considerable differences in access and digital
literacy among women and girls worldwide, [16].
This is to raise parental understanding of how to
support media literacy. According to the review
studies, media literacy therapies could increase
parents' media literacy abilities, [21]. Overall, this
literature review underlines the importance of
addressing digital gender disparities and increasing
digital literacy among women and girls. By doing
so, you can help empower women and promote
gender equality in the digital age.
2.3 Women's Participation in Sustainable
Development
Sustainable development is a significant issue that
requires all members of society, especially women,
to participate. The following study of literature
offers an overview of women's roles in sustainable
development and the issues they encounter. Gender
equality is crucial for sustainable development,
according to the United Nations, [22]. Participation
of women in decision-making processes connected
to sustainable management and effective use of
natural resources is critical for the long-term
management of production and consumption
patterns. Women, particularly in underdeveloped
nations, are vital in mitigating natural habitat
damage and biodiversity loss. As a result, because
they incur disproportionate impacts from
biodiversity loss and gender-blind conservation
strategies, women must be equally and actively
involved in efforts to conserve and sustainably use
biodiversity, [23].
Women's empowerment and gender equality
are critical for long-term development, [24].
Participation of women in leadership and decision-
making processes is critical for the long-term
management of production and consumption
patterns. However, progress toward gender equality
remains gradual, as numerous disparities between
men and women persist. As a result, gender-
sensitive development aid can enable women to
compete in the land, labor, and product markets,
allowing them to contribute significantly to
sustainable development, [25]. Finally, women's
engagement in sustainable development is critical
for accomplishing the goals of sustainable
development, [26].
Women's empowerment and gender equality
are critical for long-term development. Participation
of women in decision-making processes connected
to sustainable management and efficient use of
natural resources is critical for the long-term
management of production and consumption
patterns, [27]. As a result, gender-sensitive
development aid can enable women to compete in
the land, labor, and product markets, allowing them
to contribute significantly to long-term
development.
3 Method
The descriptive qualitative method is used in this
study, and data is gathered through in-depth
interviews with informants, focus group discussions
(FGD), and observations, [28]. Descriptive
qualitative research is a method used to provide a
detailed description of specific individuals or groups
regarding the circumstances and symptoms that
occur. This study aims to make a systematic,
factual, and accurate description, description, or
report regarding the facts, [29]. This research was
conducted in the Community Area of Oil Palm
Plantations, precisely in Sukaluwei Village, Bangun
Purba District, Deli Serdang Regency. This location
is an oil palm plantation area owned by PT Primex
Sukalue with around 1500 hectares and a population
of 400 people, consisting of six hamlets. The
subjects in this study were 20 women who
participated in developing Sukaluwei Village in
various fields, such as Members of the Village
Consultative Council (BPD). Hamlet Head, PKK
Chair, Posyandu Members, and Educators Teaching
at Raudathul Athfal Kindergarten, Sukaluwei
Village.
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Data Obtained Through In-depth Interviews with
Informants, Focus Group Discussions and
Observations (Observations). Then FGDs will be
held in each field, such as FGDs with BPD, Village
Administration, Posyandu Members, PKK
Members, and Educators. Furthermore, the last FGD
was held with Sukaluwei Village officials.
Furthermore, data will be obtained through
observation, where women who participate in
Village development will be observed for their
activities and around ICT use. The data obtained
will be analyzed using Miles Huberman, where the
data obtained from the informants will be
maximized until the data is saturated. After that, the
data will be reduced into several categories, and
then narrated by presenting/presenting any findings
obtained. The final stage is to conclude from the
presented, [30].
4 Results
4.1 Reasons for Participating in Village
Development
Village development includes several areas that
receive attention, such as what was done in
Sukaluwei Village, which emphasizes village
development in the economic sector, which is
considered the main issue that must be resolved.
This is expected to improve community welfare
through higher incomes. This effort is at least done
gradually and regularly. One of these efforts is
focusing on SME programs involving community
participation, such as producing Sapu Lidi, a typical
snack of Sukaluwei Village, and developing a
sewing service business.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly
impacted the decline in income of village
communities; limited space for movement, along
with the narrowness of other livelihood options,
have also caused polemics in the village community.
Some efforts have been made, such as allocating
BUMDES and credit, but this program needs to be
re-evaluated due to the lack of management in the
community. Currently, there is also a food security
program and the distribution of chicken livestock
implemented by the village government as a step in
encouraging the improvement of welfare in the
village community. On the other hand, the Direct
Cash Transfer (BLT) program is a step in narrowing
the inequality in the community, especially for
people with lower economic conditions.
So, this background is the basis and the reason
for the community, especially the women of
Sukaluwei Village, to jump in and participate in
village development efforts. The women believe
their involvement in developing the village is an
obligation as part of the community. By involving
themselves in development, they have helped
channel the aspirations of the village community.
These aspirations are accommodated and considered
in formulating policies for the benefit of the village
community. This participation is divided into two
scopes, including participation that occurs directly
within the scope of the village government and
outside the scope of the village government. Women
have become essential in designing, running, and
building the sustainability of the village massively
and actively, which is undoubtedly to the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
These reasons can also be seen based on a series
of women's activities as a reason for their
participation in village development efforts. Their
activities include domestic and non-domestic
matters which influence the quality of the
implementation of development efforts. This can be
seen through the results of interviews with several
women who are directly involved in development
efforts. Mrs. R is a PKK mother who coordinates
Posyandu (integrated service post) activities to
monitor the health of mothers and children in
Sukaluwei Village. The program that is being
intensified is the eradication of stunting in children.
She and other Posyandu members routinely carry
out Posyandu activities once a month. Activities
carried out include weighing children and providing
additional nutritious food.
Meanwhile, informant Ibu N stated that she was
actively involved in various development programs
in the village because she was encouraged by the
village head. She has been involved in various
village activities for a long time and said she enjoys
helping people with problems. As a village official
who serves as the head of general affairs, she tries to
accommodate the aspirations of the Sukaluwei
Village community in various matters related to
development issues. Furthermore, Mrs. AM serves
as a member of the BPD. She sees that women
should also take part in various activities and
positions in the village and be based on incentives.
Mrs. AM has long worked as an educator and taught
in several schools. Her involvement as a member of
the BPD is also due to the urge to be involved and
see an opportunity to be involved in developing the
village. Next is Mrs. S, the Chairperson of the
Village Supervisory Board (BPD). She was
involved in development affairs in Sukaluwei
Village because several people encouraged her to
participate in the election of the BPD chairperson.
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In addition, she stated that she became involved as
the head of the BPD to be seen as active in the
community.
Mrs. SV has a role in the world of education and
is actively involved in providing education in the
field of religion for the community, especially for
children. She desires to create a moral environment
through recitation activities, reading the Qur'an, and
sharing religious knowledge. According to Mrs. SV,
the attention given to educating the community
regarding religion still needs to be increased,
especially for Muallaf (people who convert to
Islam), so she is moved to divide her time between
her primary duties as a kindergarten teacher in
Sukaluwei Village. The last informant is Mrs. I, the
hamlet's head. She was encouraged to be actively
involved in village development because she wanted
to help others, especially when she could become a
mediator in solving the problem. This desire to help
encouraged her to be involved in various activities,
especially in the development of Sukaluwei Village.
These reasons drive women in Sukaluwei Village to
carry out participatory actions in village
development. The author details the forms of
participation in Table 1.
According to this table, women majorly
influence village development efforts. In this case,
women in Sukaluwei Village support the village
development process. This is also influenced by
their background as women, both domestic and non-
domestic; this relates to the background of work
profession, economy, and conscience. However, in
reality, various reasons have become the basis for
the women in Sukaluwei Village to participate in
village development. For example, it can be seen
that participating still does not arise from oneself.
However, instead, there is encouragement from
other parties that this has yet to raise full awareness
in the community, especially women, to support
village development. However, it must still reduce
their essence in supporting the village's progress.
Table 1. Women's Role in Sukaluwei Village Development
Women's Role in Village
Development
Activities Performed
Explanation Details
Involved in Village
government structures
Served as dusun head, BPD
chairman, PKK chairman,
Head of General Affairs,
BPD member
Women have a key role in leading structural positions in
the village government, where they play an active role in
village activities. This proves that having women as
leaders can bring diverse perspectives to decision-
making.
Involved in the
implementation of Village
programs
Running Cash Assistance
Program (BLT), Food
Security, Distribution of
Livestock Products
Women are not only the beneficiaries of village programs
but also the prime movers in their implementation. They
can provide creative ideas to ensure the programs are
effective and sustainable.
Engage in improving
community education
Improve skills and morale
Women can play a central role in improving the quality of
community education, both in terms of skills and morale.
They can be involved in various educational activities.
Engage in community
health improvement
activities
Coordinate the running of
posyandu activities,
eradication of stunting
Women play an important role in efforts to improve
public health through coordinating posyandu activities
and stunting eradication programs. They can be agents of
change in public health behavior, especially in the village
area.
Engage as a community
mediator
Provide solutions, become a
mediator, accommodate
aspirations
Women play a role as mediators in handling conflicts and
problems in the village. They can bring solutions that are
holistic and focused on community empowerment.
Involved as a community
enabler to actively
participate in Village
Development
Conduct Village
Development activities
Women can be the drivers of community activity in
village development by motivating and involving them in
various initiatives. They can be catalysts for positive
change in their communities.
Engage in the development
of technological
understanding
Increased media literacy,
especially in village
government structures
Women can play a role in improving understanding of
technology in the village, especially in media literacy.
They are involved in training and assisting in integrating
technology into the Village Government structure.
Source: Managed by researchers, 2023
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4.2 Obstacles Faced When Participating in
Village Development
The first informant, Mrs. R, said that the obstacles
she experienced while carrying out the activity were
her adaptation as the head of the PKK, which she
had only served for three months. He is still
consolidating with several parties and still studying
intensely. He also observed many inactive cadres,
such as Posyandu cadres—obstacles in the
Availability of Data, Particularly Regarding
Stunting Data, which is the current Main Activity.
Meanwhile, Mrs. N, who served as Head of
Government, felt that the obstacle was adapting to a
new position and needed more support. Still
learning about his new duties, he said that in the
past, as Hamlet's head, he did not experience
significant obstacles in carrying out his duties in the
community. However, his duties as Village head
make him learn new information related to his
duties—for example, Duties Serving Guests Visiting
Dasa, Preparing Reporting Administration, and
Serving Guest Needs.
The following informant, Mrs. I stated that the
obstacle to participating was not getting support
from some community members; there was still a
view that she could not carry out her duties. He
Feels That Some Village Communities Doubt His
Capacity. Mrs. S, an informant who serves as Chair
of the Bpd, stated that COVID-19 was the main
obstacle in her duties. COVID-19 prevents Mother S
from freely carrying out various activities because
there is a prohibition on activities outside the home.
Activities that can be carried out are only
channeling assistance from the government to
Village communities. He is trying to Distribute Aid
(Such as Poultry) To Get It to The Hands of The
Community Well.
Furthermore, the informant AM, as a member of
the BPD, stated that the obstacle experienced when
participating in Village development was work
coordination between fellow administrators,
especially at the BPD level itself. He Is Considered
Critical by Friends Because He Always Questions
Various Things. Mrs. AM stated that it is difficult to
coordinate meetings between them because it is
difficult to determine the right time. For the
informant, Mrs. SV, the obstacle encountered was
the common knowledge of the participants in the
Koran recitation activity. This resulted in the length
of time to Achieve Progress / Fluency in Reading
the Koran. Besides that, Mrs. SV teaching schedule
in kindergarten and various school administration
matters often delay teaching schedules with
converts.
In general, the description of the constraints
faced by the community in participating in village
development in Sukaluwei Village reflects the
challenges that many communities may also face at
the local level. Constraints such as difficulties in
adaptation, lack of support, and the impact of the
pandemic are obstacles that affect development.
Data-related challenges, especially stunting,
indicate the need for special attention to public
health monitoring and evaluation. The impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to limiting
activities outside the home, also highlights the
importance of adaptation strategies to maintain the
smooth running of village development activities.
Addressing these issues needs to be supported by
collaborative and innovative efforts at the local
level, taking into account the sustainability and
long-term sustainability of village development.
4.3 Media Literacy/ICT Ability
Most of the women who became informants and
were active in development activities in Sukaluwei
Village used smartphones as media in carrying out
their duties. In general, they stated that the
smartphone was beneficial in their assignments; for
example, informant R was head of the PKK, and
Posyandu sent meeting invitations and conveyed
information on activities through the WA group.
Coordinating with each other and sharing tasks,
obtaining various important information about the
events experienced by informants N and I. then
looking for important information needed to be
related to their position as mothers in the family and
as women who are responsible for work, and
establishing friendly relations experienced by
informants am and SV. Generally proficient in
receiving and conveying messages in WhatsApp
groups, sharing photos, watching, and sharing
Youtube content, TikTok. They also have Facebook,
Instagram, and WhatsApp accounts. However, in
terms of designing messages in video form, it still
needs to be improved. Some seek help from their
children or friends when they find it difficult to
access or use a smartphone.
As experienced by the informant am, he works
as a kindergarten teacher outside the Village and as
a member of the BPD. As a kindergarten teacher
and an admin in their school group, my profession
requires me to fill in and update data. I sometimes
must work using specific applications that I find
challenging. However, these difficulties can be
overcome by studying independently and asking for
help from children or friends. Furthermore, when
discussing ICT and Village development, data is
obtained that ICT capabilities bring smoothness to
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administrative services and correspondence in
Sukaluwei Village. SV informant in the focus group
discussion held by the research team stated that
"Now handling letters is better than in the past; they
are ready faster. Sometimes you do not need to go to
the Village office; you can meet on the street and
take care of it. It can be fast because I see intelligent
computers".
In the past, various matters related to the
administration of correspondence were slower.
However, in this period, the service of taking care of
correspondence was felt to be faster. According to
informant T, based on the results of the FGD, it was
stated that "women are more diligent than men,
women are more diligent in taking technical
guidance than men". While informant d stated that
"Computer skills are important, it is like if we could
get a computer, we were eyed to become staff at the
Village office, or at least asked for help in work".
Mastering the computer absolutely must be owned
by women who participate in development. Most
informants obtained helpful information and took
the initiative to search through smartphones.
The latest information regarding the
development of hot issues and various issues related
to the duties of those heavily involved in Village
development. Browsing through Google is mainly
done by informants I, AM, and SV. If they need
information about work, Google helps them to find
the information they need. They can compare
information and double-check whether the
information is correct or not. This is related to their
role as individuals who participate a lot in Village
development, education, Village supervision,
Posyandu, Village office services, etc.
Women's participation in the development of
Sukaluwei Village has also been supported by using
smartphones as the primary means of conducting
development activities. The continuous use of
information technology, especially in managing
village administration, has positively impacted the
efficiency and speed of services. In addition,
proficiency in the use of computers is still
considered a crucial asset, opening up opportunities
for women to play a more active role in village
development efforts. However, there is a need to
improve skills in the use of technology. However,
women have shown initiative in overcoming
obstacles and seeking information through
smartphones, enriching their knowledge of village
development tasks.
4.4 The Urgency of Media Literacy in
Women's Participation in Village
Development
Based on the results of in-depth interviews with
informants, media literacy skills in the form of ICT
skills are an essential aspect of their involvement in
various Village development activities. There is
even an acknowledgment from the Villagers
themselves that someone is accepted to work
because of their excellent ICT skills. As stated by
informant S: "People say such and such is the child.
This one's child. I was accepted to work in the
Village office because I am good at computers". ICT
skills are essential based on informants' observations
from the next Village. D stated: "All the women who
were involved in the development of the Village are
good at computers I think, you also want to be too".
Likewise, informant I was involved as Hamlet's
head. Informant, I admitted, "I was indeed offered to
be the hamlet head by the Village head. One of the
considerations is because I am active and master
ICT". Informant I consider it very important to have
ICT skills, work becomes more accessible.
Especially during the Covid 19 era, when people
were prohibited from going out of their homes, so
many business activities in the hamlet and the
Village were carried out by doctors.
The results of FGDs with women involved in
Village development show that media literacy skills
in the form of ICT mastery are an absolute
requirement for BPD registration. The informant am
said: there was already a policy from the Deli
Serdang district level which stated: "The
requirement to become chairman or member of the
BPD is to have ICT skills, namely being able to
operate a computer". AM added: "In the Village of
Batu Rata, which is close to Sukaluwei Village, it is
a rule that the position Village secretary must be
able to use a computer". The prospective secretary
is asked to make a PowerPoint presentation during
the exam, which means that the ICT mastery
requirements become an essential and determining
aspect. The phenomenon in Sukaluwei Village
shows that all informants are still relatively young.
Only informants SV and am aged 45 and 46 years.
The rest are women in their 30s with passion and
reliable ICT skills. These women carry out capacity
building by attending technical guidance/training.
This technical guidance is related to computer
mastery and skills.
Media literacy, especially in ICT skills, is
urgent and critical to women's involvement in
village development activities. Informants
simultaneously highlighted the importance of ICT
mastery in the world of work. For example, this
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phenomenon can be seen in the BPD registration
requirements, where ICT skills are an absolute
requirement. Most of the relatively young
informants demonstrated enthusiasm and reliable
ICT skills; some also undertook capacity building
through technical guidance. Of course, this makes it
clear that in the COVID-19 era, where activities
have been carried out digitally, ICT skills are
essential in facilitating access and carrying out work
in the Village.
5 Discussion
Based on the research results above, it can be
concluded that women in Sukaluwei Village,
Bangun Purba Subdistrict, and Deli Serdang have
been involved in Village development. Informants
held positions as head of the PKK (Mrs. R), as head
of Village government (Mrs. N), as chairman of the
BPD (Mrs. S), as head of the hamlet (Mother I), as a
member of the BPD (Mrs. AM). As a teacher of
kindergarten (Mrs. SV). The findings of this study
are what was stated by Rahmawati and Setyowati
Indonesia had stepped forward with the birth of
Regulation number 6 of 2014 concerning Villages.
Efforts to improve the quality of human resources or
women through women empowerment between the
government and the private sector. Furthermore, it
was also stated that the optimization of women in
Village development depends on the level of
participation of women to be active in Village
forums and institutions, [5], [31].
Women in Sukaluwei Village have participated
in Village development in various fields, such as
informant R as chairman of the PKK, informant N
as general head, informant s as chairman of the
BPD, informant SV as an educator, informant MA
as member of BPD, and informant I as hamlet head.
The same results were also found in the Manembu
study, 2017, wherein in the Maumbi Minahasa
Village area, many women participated in
development as heads of BPD and were involved in
family empowerment activities or PKK, [32]. The
position of women turned out to be very strategic,
namely as chairperson, where the position of the
chairperson was a central figure in the organization
that determined essential decisions/policies.
Therefore, the ability to think and manage an
organization in making essential decisions/policies
is very much needed. Women who are needed are
women who have the capacity so that the goals of
the organization/institution can be realized.
Some existing literature emphasizes that
women's participation in development or various
activities must also be supported by media literacy
skills, especially in using technology.
Communication studies explain that a person must
be able to use, understand, select, and produce
media content, known as media literacy. Media
literacy is a term that is almost the same as the
ability of ICT or information communication and
technology. Mastery of ICT becomes a mandate on
the SDGs agenda, where women and young women
must master ICT, [9]. As stated by Marcelle, [11],
ICT mastery provides advantages for women. That
mastery of ICT will improve women's quality of
life.
Good mastery of technology also contributes to
progress for women entrepreneurs and SMEs in
Yogyakarta, [33]. where they are advised to use
social media in marketing their products, the point is
that mastering technology will increase the
marketing of the MSME actor's products. Carry out
marketing using a positive impact on development.
The research results on six informants in Sukaluewi
Village showed that they could use technology,
especially smartphones. Informants' daily work must
be connected to media support. They take advantage
of the existing WhatsApp group to share
information and coordinate tasks and activities; for
them, the existence of the WhatsApp group helps
facilitate, expedite, and make time effective so that
planned activities can achieve the desired goals. If
things need to be clarified, they can ask in the
WhatsApp group.
Women's ICT skills in using technology in
Sukaluwe Village women show moderate abilities;
they can use it but still have some obstacles related
to some applications they need to practice fluently.
This aligns with the results of previous research,
which states that female activists in Medan have an
individual level of competence within the media
literacy framework, [34]. The ability to use media
the informants themselves already exists; they can
use smartphones to support their activities as
women activists in Medan. Besides that, they can
understand the message's contents and select helpful
content. One aspect of poor literacy is the ability to
produce media products through videos. They
usually still ask for help from other people (friends,
children, or family).
In line with that, women's ability in ICT has
been demonstrated by taking over roles amid
political, economic, and patriarchal morality
challenges in cyberspace, [11], [35]. Cyberspace
today very clearly shows the role of men in
controlling the conversation space in discussing
various vital issues related to the lives of many
people. The large number of women actively
involved in cyberspace can become a functional
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space for conveying their ideas and ideas on an
equal footing with men. Therefore, it is necessary to
regulate a policy that can affect the state, provincial,
and district, even at the sub-district and Village
levels—making policies that support ICT mastery
for women so that they are actively involved in
development in cities and Villages.
Women with qualified ICT and media literacy
skills at a high level are expected to be on an equal
footing with men in contributing their abilities and
expertise to advance the nation. Efforts to achieve
SDGs become more manageable and smoother
where women with ICT skills are active. The
implementation of government policies regarding
the requirements for mastering ICT/media literacy
has already occurred in the Deli Serdang district,
especially in the election of the BPD in Sukaluwei
Village, where the chairperson and members of the
BPD must master ICT. The results of in-depth
interviews with am informants as members of the
BPD show that mastering ICT is one of the must-
have requirements. This policy has been
implemented in all areas of Deli Serdang Regency,
including Sukaluwei Village. As the Village-level
leader, the Village head wants his staff to have ICT
skills. This was acknowledged by informant I
because mastery of ICT can launch work programs
in the Village. For example, to invite meetings,
coordinate work, and so on.
6 Conclusion
In village development efforts, the role of women in
Sukaluwei Village, Bangun Purba Sub-district, and
Deli Serdang Regency shows a significant impact.
Women's involvement in various aspects, both
domestic and non-domestic, such as professional
background, economy, and conscience, turned out to
be the central pillar in encouraging the community,
especially women, to participate in the development
process. Although there are external forces that
encourage women's participation, the essence of
their support for village progress is an essential
factor that should be considered. Diversifying
women's roles in the village management structure
and organizations such as the PKK shows a
relatively diverse and dimensional contribution.
In addition, the importance of women's ability
in media literacy, especially ICT, as a tool to
facilitate coordination and information
dissemination is critical to increasing the
effectiveness of women's participation.
Strengthening women's media literacy capacity and
improving ICT skills were identified as urgent steps
to achieve increased participation and sustainable
development goals. However, challenges related to
women's limited ICT capabilities require further
research focus to understand their impact on access
to public services, job skills, gender stereotypes, and
digital literacy to support future sustainable
development.
Acknowledgement:
Researchers would like to thank the Research
Institute of the Universitas Sumatera Utara for
providing the funds to conduct this research
properly. The Talenta Program year 2022 supports
this research through the Government Collaborative
Research Scheme.
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Contribution of Individual Authors to the
Creation of a Scientific Article (Ghostwriting
Policy)
- Mazdalifah developed the research idea,
conceptualization, and framework, executed the
concept, and characterized the research
phenomenon.
- Moulita has structured, laid out, and looked for
secondary data.
- Nita Savitri has enhanced grammar in social
academia.
Sources of Funding for Research Presented in a
Scientific Article or Scientific Article Itself
The Talenta Program year 2022 supports this
research through the Government Collaborative
Research Scheme.
Conflict of Interest
The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0
(Attribution 4.0 International, CC BY 4.0)
This article is published under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en
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DOI: 10.37394/232015.2024.20.13
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