What exactly
is empowerment? Although the term empowerment is frequently used, there is much
confusion about what empowerment is.
Empowerment can according to the UNDP be defined in economic, social and political terms. In economic terms, this
means being able to engage freely in any economic activity. In social terms,
this means being able to join fully in all forms of community life, without
regard to religion, colour, sex or race. And in political terms, this means
having the freedom to choose and change governance at every level, from the
Presidential palace to the village council.[i]
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| Photo: Simone Periere |
Women's
empowerment has according to the UN a total of five
components: Women’s sense of self-worth; their right to have and to determine
choices; their right to have access to opportunities and resources; their right
to have the power to control their own lives, both within and outside the home;
and their ability to influence the direction of social change to create a more
just social and economic order, nationally and internationally.[ii]
The core of
empowerment therefore lies in the ability of a woman to control her own
destiny. This implies that to be empowered women must not only have equal
capabilities (such as in regard to education and health) and equal access to resources and
opportunities (such as access to health resources), they must also have the
agency to use those rights, capabilities, resources and opportunities to make
strategic choices and decisions. And to exercise agency, women must live
without the fear of coercion and violence.[iii]
Empowered
women experience increased political participation, control of resources
including land, access to employment and education - all which are crucial for
promoting maternal health. Empowered women are more likely to have fewer
children, more likely to access health services and have control over health
resources, and less likely to suffer domestic violence. Their children are more
likely to survive, receive better childcare at home and receive health care when
they need it. At the same time, improved health outcomes for women can help to
strengthen their own agency and empowerment. Healthy women are more able to
actively participate in society and markets and take collective action to
advance their own interests. They are likely to have greater bargaining power
and control over resources within the household.
Empowered
women understand their value in society and can therefore demand their right to access
quality maternal health services, which in return might influence and even improve maternal health practice and policy.[iv]
[i] UNDP (1993) 'Human Development Report 1993: People's Participation',
(New York, NY: Oxford University Press).
[ii] UN Secretariat, Inter-agency Task Force on the Implementation of the
International Conference on Population and Development’s Programme of Action,
‘Guidelines on Women’s Empowerment’
[www.un.org/popin/unfpa/taskforce/guide/iatfwemp.gdl.html].
[iii] Millennium Project Task Force on Education and Gender Equality (2005) 'Taking action: achieving gender equality and empowering women.'
[iv] Partnership for Maternal Newborn and Child Health (2013) 'Promoting
Women's Empowerment for Better Health Outcomes for Women and Children.' (New
York, WHO Press)