EMPOWERMENT: What Does It Mean To Women?

Over the past few months I’ve had the opportunity to discuss the idea of empowerment with many individuals and groups.  It’s become clear to me that many people, when asked, have a hard time defining the term; each of us looks at the concept from a somewhat different perspective.

In my travels, I’ve found that the practice of empowerment has culturally specific implications that are complicated by the fact that in many languages the word ‘empowerment’ does not have a direct translation.   Without a clear definition, the concept of empowerment may cause people in some cultures to become fearful or distrustful.

It’s much easier to describe what empowerment does for people than to give a specific definition of what it means.   The descriptions below are some samples of how people have described it to me.

• EMPOWERMENT enables an individual to reach her God-given potential
• EMPOWERMENT allows an individual to be self-reliant
• EMPOWERMENT allows an individual to have self-respect
• EMPOWERMENT allows an individual to acquire the ability to generate choices
• EMPOWERMENT allows an individual to exercise bargaining power
• EMPOWERMENT allows an individual to develop a sense of self-worth
• EMPOWERMENT allows an individual to believe in her ability to make changes in her life
• EMPOWERMENT allows an individual to take control over her life


With these ideas in mind, it is easier to come up with a more specific definition for this implicit concept.  Empowerment is about change, choice, and power. It is the process of change by which individuals or groups with little or no power gain the skills to make choices that affect their lives and gives them the ability to take charge of their future.

In order for a woman to be empowered, she needs access to the material, human, and social resources necessary to make reasonable choices in her life. Historically, not only have women been deprived of resources like credit, property, and money, but they have also been excluded from social resources like education, training and community involvement.  Although the process of empowerment varies from culture to culture, it has been my experience that when women are given the skills and power to take charge of their lives, their families become successful and they develop into responsible leaders in their communities.