Empowerment is: Obtaining a precise knowledge and understanding regarding gender based relationships. Inculcating self contentment by oneself through the thought that he/she is a useful person. Obtaining the ability to decide what actually is suitable to oneself. Obtaining bargaining ability. Obtaining the ability to develop one’s status, to make influence to effect a change in the society and be organised for it. Source: United Nations Development Fund for Women (2000), Progress of the World’s Women 2000, New York: UNIFEM. • Discuss. o According to this definition women need time and opportunities to re-examine their lives and experiences and inquire into them comparatively , analytically personally and as a group as well. For that a precise understanding is required in regard to gender, changes in the status of females against males, and the factors which have caused such changes. o The common situation in the society is internalized in many to the extent that they grasp it as the normal situation. Hence social activists community organizations, government and non-governmental organizations and international organizations are able to inquire into it having raised questions, create the necessary atmosphere for it and originate it in females. o The term “empowerment” was defined in a more extensive manner in the workshop named “Women Development and Empowerment” which was held with representation of Asia and Pacific countries. o As per this definition empowerment means “examining the status of women in a analytical manner getting away from the traditional style of thinking and obtaining a better understanding over it and obtaining power or ability to remove other’s control over their lives and take those decisions by themselves”. o In addition to that this definition emphasizes the power for gender equality in the form of the ability to obtain a similar recognition and respect to males and females within the household and common field, make a similar contribution and make representations in decision making at all levels. 47