The Social Protection Network for Working Women: A Strategic Collaboration between Indonesia and Malaysia

Abstract

This community service program was initiated in response to the limited social protection available to Indonesian women workers in Malaysia, highlighting the need to strengthen awareness of labor rights through cross-border collaboration. The program aimed to enhance participants' understanding of social protection systems, international legal instruments, and collaborative strategies between Indonesia and Malaysia to improve protection for women workers. The target participants included women workers, academics, and stakeholders concerned with migrant labor protection. The program was implemented through participatory socialization and training sessions involving speakers from the Faculty of Law, Universitas Malikussaleh, and representatives of Kolej Rafflesia and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Puncak Alam, Malaysia. The implementation methods consisted of interactive lectures, group discussions, question-and-answer sessions, case studies, and reflection on field experiences to encourage active participant engagement. The training materials covered social protection for women workers, international legal instruments, and the scope of employment social security. The results demonstrated improved participant understanding of social protection rights and emphasized the importance of institutional collaboration in strengthening comprehensive protection mechanisms. The program concludes that strategic cooperation among governments, higher education institutions, civil society organizations, the private sector, and international partners is essential for developing an inclusive, adaptive, and sustainable social protection system that effectively safeguards the welfare and rights of women workers in cross-border employment settings.