Women’s empowerment is the process by which they gain power, resources, and the capacity to make decisions over their lives, in order to transform relationships of gender inequality. It is recognised as a vital means of achieving effective equality and challenging the social, economic and cultural structures that perpetuate discrimination.
Empowerment means having the real ability to decide how to spend your time, rather than merely ‘managing’ it. This requires certain material and institutional conditions; for example, it is not possible to decide whether to work long hours or to rely on public support services. We must reject the idea that free time or care is a ‘privilege’ — it is a right. Temporary empowerment means ensuring that everyone can:
◼️Rest and have your own
◼️time Caring for and being cared for without giving up your rights
◼️Training, participating and living independently
Objectives to Combat Inequalities
The 2030 Agenda puts the empowerment of all women and girls at the heart of Sustainable Development Goal 5, which focuses on gender equality. This involves eliminating gender-based violence and discrimination in labour and wages, as well as harmful practices. It also involves guaranteeing rights in sexual and reproductive health, political participation, and access to economic resources.
Key types of power of attorney
We usually talk about three types of empowerment: economic (access to decent work, one’s own income, property and financial services); political (participation in and decision-making within institutions and organisations); and social and personal (rights, education and the freedom to decide about one’s own body and life project). When all three areas advance at the same time, economic and symbolic dependence is reduced and the patterns that perpetuate poverty and the subordination of women are broken.
Empowerment strategies
Common strategies include:
– Training and education with a gender perspective
– Spaces for mutual support and women’s associations
– Labour programmes that improve access to quality occupations
– Actions to increase the presence of women in leadership and decision-making roles It is also essential to have laws and public policies that guarantee rights, promote co-responsibility in care, and incorporate a gender perspective into all policies, not just those specifically relating to women.
The DIGECP Distinction for Gender Equality in Towns and Cities. Supported by the EU, this distinction will certify municipalities’ commitment to gender equality by promoting the incorporation of a gender perspective into their policies and actions.
Would you like to join the project? Contact us at premsa@forgenderseal.org or send us a message via this page.
