The Process of Empowerment

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The term ‘empowerment’ has many different meanings, there is no agreed definition as there are different interpretations and approaches used by different organisations (Luttrell et al, 2009). However, ‘empowerment’ is about “bringing people who are outside the decision-making process into it” (Rowlands, 1995: 102). In other words, changing the power relations in favour of those who previously had little or no power over their own lives (Sen, 1997), giving power to the marginalised groups of society, giving them the opportunity to participate actively in the decision-making process on issues affecting their lives – increased welfare and reduced subordination, the right to make choices and control resources (Mahmud, 2003; Luttrell et al, 2009; Chambers, 2005; Willis, 2005; Parpart, 2002; Paterson, 2008; Keller and Mbwewe, 1991 – cited by Rowlands, 1995). Having defined the term ‘empowerment’, this essay will now look at the different types of empowerment, then the key challenges that may arise from adopting empowerment as a development objective and some of the debates on empowerment. Finally, the essay will conclude by arguing that despite the challenges that may arise from adopting empowerment as a development objective, it can still be successful if properly presented in the right way and can also, lead to “more equitable distribution of power in society on personal, economic and political levels” (Oxaal and Baden, 1999: 27). The different types of empowerment are as follows: Political empowerment also referred to as ‘rights-based’ empowerment is about improving people’s capacity to demand their ‘rights and entitlements’ (Piron and Watkins, 2004 – quoted in Luttrell et al, 2009). For example, the engagement of minority groups in the decision-making process and improving their negotiating skills – through participation. Second, is economic

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