Module 1 Women’s Empowerment Session 5 Introduction The term “empowerment” was commonly used after 1970s but it is very rarely that a precise definition has been given to the word. Long before the word ‘empowerment’ became popular, the concept was discussed in gender studies that looked at the ability that women should have to control their lives and their ability to take decisions which affect their lives within the household and the society. The core of these opinions was incorporated into the term “empowerment” and its general meaning is the ability to control their decisions and take decisions which affect their lives. Objectives • To understand the meaning of the word “empowerment” • To identify the process of empowerment • To understand the cycle of empowerment Activity I To understand the meaning of the word “empowerment” • • Distribute 4”x3” cards and pens among all the participants. Give a period of five minutes to them to write simply and in short the meaning that they sense from the word “empowerment” Provide each participant the opportunity to submit to the gathering the meaning written by him/her and write them on a flip chart. Do not rewrite the same meaning and be restricted only to basic meanings. Analyse the similarities and differences of the aforesaid meanings and allow the participants to obtain a precise understanding in that regard. • • Activity 2 A short lecture on “empowerment” Submit various definitions that can be given to the word “empowerment” using the following facts on slide. Slide As per UNIFEM guidelines on women’s empowerment is: The ability that a person has to take decisions which affect his/her life and control her/his life. That broad sense implies the ability to be representative in all institutions at the decision making level and participate in the distribution of resources. Source: Commonwealth Secretariat (1999) A Quick Guide to the Gender Management System, London: Commonwealth Secretariat. 46