Empowering Dayak women through digital marketing

How can digital marketing support Dayak women?

Digital marketing can help entrepreneurs introduce products, build customer relationships and receive enquiries beyond their immediate network. Empowerment begins when women have the skills and control to decide how their businesses and stories are represented.

Start with each participant’s needs

Dayak communities include diverse languages, experiences and aspirations. Avoid a single approach for everyone. Discuss phone access, connectivity, available time, language preferences and business goals before training. Some participants want stronger local sales; others want to explore new markets.

Learn through real products

Use participants’ own products to practise photography, product descriptions and ordering steps. For an illustrative woven product, explain size, materials, uses, preparation time and care. Practical details help buyers make decisions without repeatedly asking basic questions.

Respect ownership of stories and culture

Seek permission before sharing photos, names, personal stories or community knowledge. Verify the meaning of motifs and product origins with makers or appropriate community members. Do not invent cultural stories for promotion. Participants should decide what they are comfortable sharing.

Measure meaningful progress

Assess whether participants can create content, handle enquiries and maintain order records independently. Make room for peer support. Follower counts are only one measure; confidence, skills and decision-making are also valuable programme goals.