How to get Empowered?

Women play a vital role in society and have been stamped as the creator and protector of a family. She carries our generation through the reproduction of family members, develops them into responsible ones, and thus forms society. Society cannot be formed without women. But despite the importance attached to her personality, a woman is least respected in the true sense in society and has not been able to be free of shackles and chains, binding her and confining her to a limited space to move and act. The modern concept of development emphasizes human, economic, and social development. For social development, empowering women at the grassroots and their capacity building is a major concern.

Women's empowerment is now considered a strategy for achieving economic development but for advancing human rights. Empowerment is best for women who want to be independent. Through this, these women set goals to foster change, in this way, they enhance their independence. It is related to any profession. When they work consistently on these goals, they can overcome factors that are stressors for them. They gradually gain strength and build resources, which in turn help them to come out of a disastrous situation.

Women empowerment refers to a set of activities intended to raise the degree of autonomy and self-determination of women and communities to enable them to serve their interests in a responsible and self-determined manner when acting under their authority. Women’s empowerment is essential to ensuring that they have equal access to opportunities and that their rights are properly respected. This is accomplished by enhancing and expanding women’s social, economic, political, and legal existence.

Components of empowerment include;

Positive self-evaluation; They must evaluate themselves, their situations, and their living conditions.

A favorable comfort/distress ratio, gender role, and cultural identity. Women's awareness of the realization of barriers and norms hindering their progress.

A sense of personal control and self-efficacy, self-nurturance, and self-care. It is also essential for them and their children to get control of their motivation, enthusiasm, behavior, and performance.

Effective problem-solving skills so that these women empower themselves easily.

Competent use of assertiveness skills in setting boundaries and expressing their feelings, thoughts, and needs clearly and effectively.

Effective access to multiple economic, social, and community resources and use them in their favor.

Gender and cultural flexibility to deal with traumatic situations.

Socially constructed activism is also needed to increase their impact and influence change.

How to get empowered?

One way of achieving this is to give women information and education to enable them to make informed decisions in all aspects of their lives ranging from health, education, family planning, poverty reduction, hygiene, agriculture, and economic empowerment to participation in public life. It involves the ability to act upon the information. All these are aspects of development. 

Many women in our societies face obstacles and are restrained from progress so coping with stress, and trauma and addressing the abuse whether from family members or the community, women must be empowered. Resources, knowledge, and interpersonal support fuel the empowerment of women. Abusive behavior, including belittling, humiliation, and negative comments, contributes to feelings of burdensome and self-isolation.

Gender stereotypes greatly affect the development of capabilities.  Success in a particular task may depend on the stereotypes attached. For example, sports are regarded as typical male activity, and women's performance and competence might be suppressed. Therefore, exposure to stereotypes might naturally decrease women's agency, autonomy, and efficacy in cultures where such polarization is fixed, and where sanctions in forms of sexism are imposed on those who do not adhere to certain social rules. Therefore, improving women's agency, autonomy, and self-efficacy is crucial for advancing gender equality, reducing gender disparities, and empowering women.

Empowered women are more likely to have increased mobility or be employed.

Also, empowered women are more likely to have increased bodily autonomy.

Mobile phones are also instruments of social connection. Women with mobile phones are more likely to be connected with safe contacts and a support network. Mobile phones translate to improved financial independence, food security, and dietary quality, better household decision-making power by women.

Women who followed hygienic menstrual practices faced a reduced likelihood of sexual and emotional abuse and are more empowered. 

Increase in household decision-making associated with empowerment. 

Educational status plays a significant role in increasing empowerment levels. The education level helped them to increase their thinking capacity, and interest which is essential for empowerment.

Mass media exposure helps women to empower themselves. Exposure could be the reason for the awareness of knowledge of the outside world.

Information-sharing behavior is another factor in empowering women. They share their experiences with friends, family members, and neighbors.

Decision-making behavior is another indicator of becoming empowered as it confirms that women are consulting with spouses and elders for decision-making at all levels. 

Self-confidence is another important factor for women to express their views about life and personal conditions. 

Awareness of women's development programs in the community and becoming a part of these types of activities equip women. The women members become more skilled and get training and exposure to such activities and environments that support them. 

Many Inhibitors like domestic responsibilities, family support, confidence, and the cultural role of women in society hinder the process of women's empowerment.