Empowerment – Principles, Frameworks, and Dimensions
🔹 A. Principles of Empowerment
- Participation – Active involvement in decision-making processes.
- Access to Resources – Land, credit, education, technology, etc.
- Equality – Equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities.
- Self-reliance – Encouraging independence in economic and social spheres.
- Rights-based Approach – Emphasizing human and constitutional rights.
- Agency and Voice – Ability to make choices and influence outcomes.
🔹 B. Frameworks of Empowerment
Framework Name | Focus Area & Explanation |
Longwe’s Empowerment Framework | Measures 5 levels: Welfare → Access → Conscientization → Participation → Control. |
Moser Framework | Differentiates practical and strategic gender needs. |
Harvard Analytical Framework | Studies activities, access/control over resources, and influencing factors. |
Kabeer’s Framework | Three components: Resources, Agency, and Achievements. |
Women Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI) | Measures five domains: Production, Resources, Income, Leadership, and Time. |
🔹 C. Dimensions of Empowerment
Dimension | Focus Area |
Economic | Access to income, employment, assets, and financial services. |
Social | Participation in community and society; breaking social norms. |
Political | Participation in decision-making, voting, leadership roles. |
Educational | Literacy, access to education and vocational training. |
Legal | Awareness and access to laws protecting women’s rights. |
Technological | Use of digital tools, access to ICT, internet awareness. |
- Strategies and Barriers for Women Empowerment
🔸 A. Strategies for Empowerment
- Skill development & vocational training
- Promoting SHGs & micro-enterprises
- Financial inclusion through bank linkage
- Digital literacy programs (e.g., PMGDISHA)
- Legal awareness and protection (PDSVA, Dowry Act, etc.)
- Gender-sensitive extension services
- Women’s participation in Panchayati Raj (33% reservation)
- Targeted government schemes (e.g., Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Ujjwala Yojana)
🔸 B. Barriers to Women Empowerment
Barrier Type | Examples |
Social | Patriarchy, gender stereotypes, early marriage |
Economic | Wage gap, lack of land ownership, unpaid labor |
Political | Under-representation in decision-making bodies |
Legal | Lack of awareness about legal rights |
Technological | Digital divide, low ICT literacy |
Cultural | Mobility restrictions, traditional beliefs |
- Empowerment through SHG, Financial Inclusion, Microfinance, Internet, and Education
🔹 A. Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
- Informal group (10–20 women) who save, lend, and support each other.
- Promote financial independence, leadership, and group solidarity.
- Supported under schemes like NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana).
- Key tool for social capital and economic empowerment.
🔹 B. Financial Inclusion
- Ensuring access to banking, credit, insurance.
- Programs: PM Jan Dhan Yojana, MUDRA Yojana, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- Reduces dependence on informal moneylenders.
🔹 C. Microfinance
- Small loans without collateral, often via SHGs or MFIs.
- Promotes entrepreneurship among rural women.
- Helps women build credit history and start small businesses.
🔹 D. Internet and Digital Empowerment
- Access to information, e-governance, online education, and markets.
- Tools: Digital India, E-SHRAM, PMGDISHA.
- Helps bridge the digital gender divide.
- Online platforms (YouTube, WhatsApp, Facebook) used for marketing farm/handicraft products.
🔹 E. Education
- Foundation for all types of empowerment.
- Promotes awareness of rights, decision-making, health, and economic independence.
- Programs: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, National Literacy Mission.
📝 Quick Revision Table
Empowerment Tool | Role in Empowerment |
SHGs | Promote savings, loans, collective power |
Financial Inclusion | Ensures access to credit and banking |
Microfinance | Empowers women-led businesses |
Internet | Digital access, e-learning, market linkage |
Education | Builds capacity, awareness, and independence |
