What is Women Empowerment ?

Women's empowerment can be defined to promoting women's sense of self-worth, their ability to determine their own choices, and their right to influence social change for themselves, their family and others.

Women play important roles in the rural economy as farmers, wage earners and entrepreneurs. They also take responsibility for the well-being of the members of their families, including food provision and care for children and the elderly. Rural women’s unpaid work, particularly in poor households, often includes collecting wood and water. Women from indigenous and grassroots communities are often also custodians of traditional knowledge, which is key for their communities’ livelihoods, resilience and culture. Yet, women in rural areas face constraints in engaging in

 

 economic activities because of gender-based discrimination and social norms, disproportionate involvement in unpaid work, and unequal access to education, healthcare, property, and financial and other services. They are also disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of environmental disasters and climate change. Promoting and ensuring gender equality, and empowering rural women through decent work and productive employment, not only contributes to inclusive and sustainable economic growth, but also enhances the effectiveness of poverty reduction and food security etc.

Rural women are more prone to domestic violence. Women are relatively disempowered and they enjoy somewhat lower status. Fewer women have final say on how to spend their earnings.

In such scenario the project initiated welfare oriented approach. Here the powerless gain greater control over the circumstances of their lives. It leads to a growing intrinsic capability greater self confidence, and an inner transformation of one's consciousness that enables one to overcome external barrier.

 

 

 

The very fact that women are able to actively participate in economic life it witness a sea of change in women's life, which enables her increased capacity for leading a fulfilling human life. The economic participation mainly emphasizes on one important aspect i.e. a power to achieve desired goals but not a power over others. The project focuses on women's opportunity rather than their capabilities!