Access: One of the main reasons for the inequality in the social status and living condition of men and women is
the disproportionate opportunities, resources, freedom and rights received by them. For example if a woman is not
provided the opportunity of receiving formal education she will be relegated to a lower level or a secondary level.
In every sector such as social, economic, political and emotional sectors that the men who received that education.
Hence the ability of entering each sector by having opportunities, resources, freedom and rights is considered at
this level. That level which enables women to achieve a meaningful development in their lives especially to obtain
resources will be helpful in bringing equal statues to both men and women. For example, women are empowered
if they are provided property, jobs, income and loan facilities in an equal manner as men. Women understand at
this level, that a gap has been created in gender due to these unequal approaches and it has become an obstacle for
the development of their living condition.
Conscientisation: This is the decisive period of empowerment. It is understood at this level that even though
there are some biological changes between men and women, the tasks assigned to women, their characteristics,
behaviour patterns, traditional language usages and even clothes have been created by the society not by nature.
It should be precisely understood here that men and women have fallen to this disproportionate level due to the
differences in institutions from family to the State. It is understood here that women themselves also contribute to
create these disproportionate situations for men and women in institutions such as family, school, religious places,
media and government and it is an obstacle for the development of the lives of women.
Participation: Participation of women in taking decisions related to the needs of women and development is
expected at this level. Since ancient times, women did not possess the right of taking most important decisions
which were related to their lives. Hence, women should an equal representation as men at every decision making
level in every institution from family to the State. For this women must organize themselves.
Control: The last level of wining gender based equality and women's empowerment is control. Here, the power
enjoyed by men in every institution in the distribution of resources, decision making, and representation is given
to both men and women at this level. Due to that reason woman does not undergo the control or authority of the
man within the family or any other institution. An equality or power balance is built between men and women.
Women also make an equal contribution as men in all activities in the society especially in development activities
and it is given a social recognition.
Source: United Nations Children’s Fund (1993)
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