Women Empowerment: Concept Paper: Gladys Mugadza (Corresponding Author)

IJRDO-Journal of Health Sciences and Nursing ISSN: 2456-298X
Women Empowerment: Concept Paper
Tecla Masvikeni1
Christine, Mary Kasu2
Gladys Mugadza3
1, 2, 3, (University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Nursing Science Department)
*Gladys Mugadza (corresponding Author)
Email: [email protected]
Mobile phone + 263 772595446, Zimbabwe, Harare
Abstract
Women empowerment is the ability to say out views without belittling the other part. This
involves the process of mutual dialogue, negotiation done to meet social needs.
.Empowerment is the Process on a continuum to raise awareness, capacity building that leads
to greater variety of participation, greater decision making power, control and transformative
action.
Objective: The objective of the concept paper was to have an in-depth description of women
empowerment.
Materials and Methods: Walker and Avant model of concept analysis was used in helping
describing the concept of interest. Literature search was done from 1-30 August 2017using
women empowerment journal, PubMed, Medline, PMC, NCBI and Reference Manager. And
40 studies were found to be relevant to define and describe the concept of interest.
Results: Women empowerment definition and description was confined to the theoretical
realm and mistaken as a form of dominance.
Key words: Women, Empowerment
Volume-2 | Issue-10 | October,2017 | Paper-6 92

1.0 Introduction and Background
Power is defined as having dominion, influence and control over someone or something
(Chandler, 1992). In order to understand the process of empowerment there is need to
understand that power takes different dimensions such as power over victimization, power to
be generative or productive, power with others in tackling problems, power from within
which give spiritual strength and uniqueness seasoned with self-acceptance and self-respect
(Ratmen,2013). Empowerment is the process of raising awareness, capacity building that lead
to greater variety of participation, greater decision making power, control and transformative
action (Ratmen, 2013). Empowerment is also known as raising the spiritual, educational,
social, economic and political strength of individuals in all spheres of life (Ratmen, 2013)
Women empowerment means mutual dialogue, negotiation and ability to say out views
without belittling the other part (Ratmen, 2013). Absence of women empowerment is one of
the most critical attribute behind increase of maternal mortality and morbidity that can be
prevented. Women empowerment should surpasses stating of facts regarding an event but
should involve critical synthesis of facts, meaning, interpretation and application of these into
practice seasoned with ethical considerations of rights of the other. It is an art of the ability
to act out principles stated at the Beijing Conference Women Rights in a mutual manner that
fosters understanding and growth between the parties involved (Beijing Conference Women
Rights, 1995).
Accepting one’s capabilities and limitations for the proper growth of the global society at
large is of paramount importance. Empowering women socially, economically by training
them to do self-help projects and accessing health care services are among the appreciated
dimensions. Most rural women are the stewards of the natural resources hence they need to
be empowered to use safe water supply, good sanitation practices, and use of mosquito nets

in malaria zones. Women need to educate girls and boys to prevent child marriages and
unwanted pregnancies. Counselling women on prevention of sexual gender based violence
and promotion of gender equality is of importance in terms of women empowerment (Yesim
Global Compact, 2017). These skills are important in preventing disempowering of women
which can help raise maternal and neonatal survival (Yesim Global Compact, 2017).
Researchers have proven that women empowerment through educational, economical,
sociocultural, reproductive and political has the potential to reduce maternal and neonatal
morbidity and mortality (International Planned Parenthood, 2017). On the same note, child
marriages, unwanted pregnancies, all forms of women abuse can be averted. The overall goal
of women empowerment is to strengthen women security against sexual gender based
violence, gender justice, combat HIV/AIDS, increase peace in the homes, expanding
citizenship, participation and leadership. Customs and traditions that oppress women should
be abolished, emphasizing gender equality and women empowerment (International Planned
Parenthood, 2017).
Studies done in Turkey Bursa Platform Butterfly training revealed that 22% of girls and
women are victims of abuse at least once in their lives,25% physical,27% psychological,82%
victims of violence not reported. Then 1; 5 sexual abuse (WHO, 2016).Sexual abuse is 3
times higher in girls in high income countries (UNICEF, 2014). This information gives
clearly the outcry for women empowerment. In schools more girls are harassed, experience
sexual violence, emotional abuse, domestic labour and child prostitution (UNICEF, 2016).
Worldwide about 150million girls are engaged in child labour, on farming estate household
chores (UNICEF, 2016).About 40% of employed women reported physical violence since
age of 15 versus 30% of unemployed women (ZDHS, 2016).About 89% victims of violence
shared with family, 79% victims of workplace abuse and law enforcement took over, 50% of

victims of at work abuse do not share the information. (Yesim Global Compact, 2017).All
these point out the need for women empowerment globally.
Women remain the world’s most unemployed resources(Tulika Tripalli ,2011).Women
comprise of 50% of world population but however they only hold less than 12% of
parliament seats. Out of 177 countries on the world only 14 countries of the women hold
more than 30 seats in their national parliament(Md.Aminur Rahman ,2013).Dependent
personality traits and poor negotiating skills place women on the negative side of women
empowerment(Benotsch& Sinha ray ,2017).Disabled women need nurse advocates to stand
for them in cases of oppression(Rottercum ,2017).
According to Human Resource Development, 2017 discrimination against girl children start
in the womb and untold number of female foetuses are aborted in prenatal sex selection stage
hence the need for women empowerment not to destroy life. This is an unethical practice that
is done under the umbrella of women empowerment. Ewer ling, 2017 in the survey-based
women empowerment index SWPER in Africa strongly suggest that sustainable development
goals should focus on equity. Goals should empower all women and girls reinforcing the
need to have a reliable indications to track progress.
About 34 countries in Africa are targeting 3 dimensions of women empowerment; attitude to
violence, social independence, decision making and having moderate to high correlation with
gender development index. This also points out the gaps in women empowerment. Another
gap was pointed out by Gribbes et al, 2017 where he outlined the negativity of intimate
partner violence while Geysmen, 2017 in a study “is something missing from antenatal
clinic” emphasize the need for addressing urinary incontinence, pelvic floor disorders, pelvic
floor exercises anenatally.Lastly Khali, 2017 postulated the importance of nutrition in HIV

mothers and their children to prevent stunting. All these are gaps crying for women
empowerment.See.
Adolescents’ girls 15-24 are at highest risk of sexual and reproductive health problems with
more than 15 million (M) girls having HIV infection. About 5million girls aged 15-19 years
have abortion every year, 40% of abortions performed under unsafe conditions. About
2million girls undergoing Female genital mutilation (FGM) every year resulting in many
birth complications. Young women and girls are vulnerable to all forms of abuse
(Adolescents Transition to Adulthood (ATA), 2017).Adolescents aged 15-19 give birth every
year and many of the pregnancies are unwanted resulting in abortions and 17% of sexually
active adolescents do not use any form of contraception and 1 in 20 adolescent girl’s contract
a sexually transmitted (STI’s) each year (Adolescents and Transition to Adulthood (ATA),
2017).Most boys are socialized to believe that dominant behaviour towards girls and women
is part of muscularity with girls becoming victims of sexually transmitted infections,
HIV/AIDS(Women Empowerment,2016).This information spells out the magnitude of the
need for deeper exploration and analysis of the definition of women empowerment. Finding
out whether women really understand what women empowerment entails…
About 40-47% of reported rapes are perpetrated against girls 15years and below while in
Costa Rica 95% of pregnancies under16. Pregnant unmarried adolescent’s girls faces school
dropouts, become single parents, experience social disapproval, economic hardships and are
at risk of complications or of dying in childbirth hence the outcry for women empowerment
(Women Empowerment, 2016).About 15-19 girls are 5 times more likely to die in pregnancy
or childbirth than women aged 20-24 and risk is even higher in younger girls in developing
countries. More than ½ a million women die every year from pregnancy related causes, when
births are too soon, too close, too many or too late .Women who marry at a young age are
likely to marry older husbands and difference in age reduces their participation in decisions

about sex, child bearing, child spacing or negotiating the use of contraceptives (Adolescent
and the Transition to Adulthood, 2017).About ½ m women of child bearing age (WCBA) die
each year due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth with 99% occurring in
developing countries ( hence there is need to equip women of bearing age to know the
critical principles of safe motherhood using women empowerment strategies. (Safe
motherhood, 2016) Zimbabwe’s maternal mortality crisis 2014 says 3,000 mothers die every
year due largely to lack of access to quality health care and about 1/3 of women in Zimbabwe
deliver babies at home. Zimbabwe maternal death is currently at 443 per 100 000 while
sustainable development strategy is aiming at 70 per 100 000 by 2030. To reduce maternal
mortality while the introduction of bonds has worsened the plight facing mothers as foreign
currency is hard to come by and women are currently not able to afford basic health care, free
maternity treatments (Women Empowerment, 2016).
1.1 Problem statement
There are conflicting operational definitions regarding women empowerment. From the
researcher’s points of view, women empowerment is being mistakenly understood as
dominance leading to an increase of domestic violence. Domestic violence in pregnancy
accounts for 0, 9-20.1% (Moura Bessa et al, 2016). Intimate partner violence accounts for 10-
70% worldwide. In Africa physical violence ranges from 23-40%, sexual 3-27%, and
emotional 25-49 % (WHO, 2014). Empowerment is no longer yielding positive outcomes as
society anticipates. A lot of detrimental effects are occurring such as increased rate of
divorces, with Zimbabwe having higher rate of divorce 60%.(Population Development
Review,2015) The in depth definition of women empowerment is not fully understood.

1.2 Identifying uses of the Concept
Historically some women have difficult acknowledging their own power and this reluctance
has explained inability of some women to properly control their own life (Layachi Anser,
2010). The new millennium is upon us with many advances in different displines such as
technology and health care but little has changed in terms of understanding the definition of
women empowerment embracing the three domain, cognitive, psychomotor, affective and
five ways of knowing women empowerment. This concept explored the in-depth
descriptions, explanations engraved in the phrase women empowerment. The positive and
negative truth about the concept cannot be proven if the concept is not fully defined. One will
understand the ups and down of women empowerment principles if one fully understand that
women empowerment is a continuum as well as its essentiality and evolutionary(MacEwen
&Wills ,2014).Midwives can only agree that they fully understand the pros and cons of
women empowerment when they critically analyse its definition.
1.3 Purpose of Statement
The purpose of the concept paper was to have an in depth description of women
empowerment.
1.4 Methodology
Walker and Avant model of describing a concept was used. Walker and Avant, 2011) stresses
the importance of antecedents and critical attributes in describing a concept of interest. The
researchers conducted literature search from 1-30 August, 2017, using Women empowerment
journals, PubMed, MEDLINE, CRAM, Reference Manager, Google Schooler search engines.
Forty studies that were found relevant to the concept of interest were included in the
exploration of the definition of women empowerment. Women empowerment was

cognitively appraised in most studies. Researchers focused on the description of the term
women empowerment by assigning antecedents and attributes to the term.
1.5 Defining Antecedents
Walker and Avant postulates antecedents as preliminary events that should be present before
occurrence of the concept of interest (Walker & Avant, 2011). In the context of this paper,
women empowerment the antecedents include; having an opportunity for advancement,
access to information about all facets of the organization of women empowerment, access to
support one’s job responsibilities and decision making, access to resources as needed by the
women, mutual dialogue. Negotiation skills, illiteracy, low self-esteem, lack of educational,
social, economic, political, psychological power. Lack of education and training, self-
determination, child marriages, unwanted pregnancies, high rates of sexual gender based
violence, reduced sense of potency, and reduced self –reliance, courage, critical thinking and
respect of diversity in women empowerment.
1.6 Defining Attributes
Critical attributes are those characteristics that describe the concept of interest in a more
tangible way (Walker and Avant, 2011). Women empowerment in the context of this study
was defined as acquisition of educational, economic, social, political and reproductive rights.
1.7 Results
Forty articles were reviewed and all of them had information on women empowerment.
However not all articles described and analysed women empowerment definition in greater
depth. Thirty articles were considered in the description and analysis of women
empowerment
tconcept(Chandler,1992,Chaplain,1997,Coxal,2008,Caper,1975,Kanter,1993,Rodwell,1996,R
yles,1999&Benner,2001,Versiveux,2012,Manojlovict,2007,Ratmen,2013,MacEwen&Wills,2

014,Tulika Tripathi,2011,Rawland,1917,Yesim Global Compact,2016,Paulo
Freire,1996,Layachi Anser,2010,Yesim Global Compact,2017,International Planned
Parenthood Federation,2017,Adolescent Transition to Adulthood,2017,Women
Empowerment,2016,Safemotherhood,2016,WorldHealthOrganization,2016,UNICEF,2016,B
enotcsch,2017,Rottercum,2017,Oxford dictionary,2017.
All researches defined what women empowerment was (Oxford dictionary, Layachi, 2017,
Ratmen, 2013). Three authors described the concept of power (Chandler, Chaplain, Ryles,
1999).Two authors described different types of power (Rawland, 1917, Yesim Global
Compact, 2016).One author eluded on male and female dominance. Two authors described
the statistics of women empowerment (WHO, Adolescent Transition to Adulthood, 2017) All
the thirty articles described the need for women empowerment. In the view of concept of
interest ten articles were dropped due to lack of adequate information.
1.8 Discussion
The purpose of this paper was to give an in depth description and analysis of women
empowerment definition with its pros and cons that can be clearly understood by all health
care providers locally, regionally and globally. The definition of women empowerment by
most studies did not assign antecedents or attributes to the term women empowerment for the
purpose of clarifying the concept. Sociologically women empowerment refers to methods
used to solve social problems emanating from powerlessness (Katajisto, 2003).While
Kekkonen et al, 2003, refers psychological women empowerment to the inherent qualities,
efforts and values of personal growth development. There was no in depth description of
what entails women empowerment, that is equipping women negotiation and decision making
skills in a mutual manner that respects the values of the other part and works towards positive
global transformation in all aspects commencing from the nuclear family. In tandem to this

definition, the fruits of women empowerment should reflect in all spheres of interaction as
stated by Arundhadi Chthopadhyaya, 2005, World Health Organisation, 2017, UNICEF,
2017 who defined women empowerment at as a state of complete health, education,
economic, social and political integrity.
1.9 Benefits and Consequences of Women empowerment
Women empowerment reduces incidences of child abuse, domestic violence, child marriage,
unwanted pregnancies. A lonely husband of the empowered woman then find comfort from
the maid who at times is shouldered with the special duties of the working mother.
Adolescents Transition to Adulthood(ATA),2017, emphasize the need for women
empowerment as lack of it results in high risk of sexual reproductive health problems such as
contraction of HIV infection, exposure to all forms of abuse, unplanned pregnancies, unsafe
abortions and complication of female genital mutilation. Most being socialized to believe that
dominance behaviour towards girls is part of muscularity as eluded by Women
Empowerment,2016).This further results in unmarried women to have school dropouts,
become single parents who can neglect the unwanted babies, experience social disapproval
,economic hardship and risk dying during delivery.
About ½ million women are illiterate showing a gap in the cognitive domain. Gibbes et al,
2017 argues that there is cognitive, practice and affective gap in terms of addressing issues of
urinary incontinence, fistulas and uterine prolapse problems. Versiveux, 2012 in a study on
population control confirms that women are being used as a tool for population control like
what happened in Germany were the population was over controlled that they now critically
encouraging women to bear children with an incentive in view of need to reduce spending.
However on the other arm a well-planned, spaced, timed family is easy to manage in terms of
financial and social burden.

The how part of the application of women empowerment strategies can result in women
dominance. Women dominance can cause high rates of divorces if the behaviour of the
empowered women is not controlled by ethical principles, social and cultural values. The
women personality traits and limitations as eluded by Benotcsch, 2017 are critical in
understanding the definition of women empowerment and its application in the global arena
as some women take top positions and fail to uphold their integrity resulting in flopping of
reputable organizations and institutions. This notion fits well with women empowerment that
allows in depth understanding of the social and cultural ties that are critical for its success.
Women attitude to violence remains a nagging issue with about 34 countries in Africa
targeting to address women empowerment: attitude to violence, social independence as most
women have stayed long on the subordinate side and decision making with moderate to high
correlation with gender development index. Some women are still affected by the historical
reservation personality which can result in them even if they take top positions they remain
unproductive back benchers. Women need to be assertive, have control, dialoguing,
negotiating skills of their lives and families in a positive way.
A health professional nurse who critically analyse and explore the definition of women
empowerment takes on board the pros and cons aspects of women empowerment. The
aesthetic component of knowing is only demonstrated when the health professional nurse is
able to identify the critical gaps which have a negative bearing on its application in women
empowerment. Critical thinking, exploration and analysis of women empowerment definition
should be able to answer all the why need of women empowerment locally, regionally and
globally. All the scientific researches of women empowerment demonstrate scientific
evidence justifying the need for women empowerment. An empowered women should be
able to have mutual dialogue, negotiating skills and the ability to express point of own view
assertively using effective communication skills in women empowerment.

In the context of women empowerment, many health professionals have been enriched with
women empowerment information and so many organizations, policies in Zimbabwe have
been put in place to address issues of women empowerment. The question is whether women
empowerment definition is totally and critically understood.
Totality of women empowerment embraces the three domains of women empowerment,
knowledge, skills and behaviour and the five ways of knowing. The need for women
empowerment should be an intrinsic personal motivation need from her spheres of personal
influence emanating from the in depth definition of women empowerment and not from peer
pressure. When women are convinced that women empowerment is the best indicator for
them then they are obliged to correctly and confidently use the three domains of women
empowerment and the five ways of knowing. Women should be able to select areas were they
need to be empowered taking into cognisance the why, where, how and when women
empowerment is needed.
Women empowerment should be characterized into the women of the 21ST century. This
should be shown by societal progress globally. Women empowerment in depth understanding
of the definition should not remain hanging in the theoretical framework but should be
decentralized into skills and valued actions which are acceptable in the family, marriage,
community and society at large.
The road map for women empowerment is visible with a bright light at the end of the tunnel
in terms of women empowerment. Women forms a very important part of the nation. Swami
Vivekananda in the Tribune 2014 highlighted that “the best thermometer to measure the
progress of a nation is its treatment of women.
Women and adolescent girls need recognition in the household, communities, societies,
nations, regions and globally. The United Nation, World Health Organisation and other

nations should join hands and empower girls and women in all spheres of life (social,
psychological, economical, educational and political). The Tribune argues that an educated
woman is a lamp that has double strength light that can light every household, community,
society and nation at large. Lack of funding as well as the poverty is drawing setbacks to
women empowerment strategies globally.
2.0 Cases
Concept analysis of empowerment is development of defining attributes to clarify further
what is and what is not the concept of women empowerment. Aids understanding and leads to
further refinement of defining attributes. (Walker Avant, 2011).The application of Walker
&Avant, 2011, to case scenarios aids understanding (Paley, 1996). Walker & Avant, (2011)
emphasize the importance of identifying critical attributes for synthesis of a concept analysis.
Incorporating diverse cases, consisting of model, related, borderline, contrary and cases,
allows for pertinent validation of the analysed concept. A description of a situation,
experience or event that provides a precise and consistent depiction of the analysed concept
(Walker Avant, 2011)
2.1 Model Case
Doric young women was born from a rich Christian family background of 2 girls and 1 boy.
Her father was a pilot engineer and the mother an accountant at a certain private company.
Both parents had a positive personality and well educated. Doric grew up in a positive, social,
psychological, political, spiritual and economic environment. She was aware and used the
reproductive rights. Doric climbed the ladder of acquisition of education at reputable schools
and Universities of academic excellence from kinder garden to masters, PHD level where she
recently graduated. Doric was self-determined, confident, had the zeal to excel in her studies
and has high social networking nationally, regionally and internationally. She was chosen to

be associate board members of many non-governmental organizations and universities. She
holds a top position in the government seats of her country and is at the for-front of
empowering women. She has influenced and supported many oppressed women and also in
the process of writing a book about the lived experiences of an empowered women. She
eventually married at 30years and has one baby girl aged three.
2.2 Analysis
In the model case all the attributes were included such as the educational, economic, social,
political and reproductive rights.
2.3 Related case
Instances that exemplify a different but comparable concept, depicting certain criteria such as
a single word, to distinguish it from the model case(Chinn&Kramer,2011).The related case
do not contain all the defining attributes of concept being analysed(Walker and Avant,2011).
2.4 Related case
A 19 year old girl graduate executive secretary at a reputable company was pregnant and was
booked within a private hospital. She informed the husband and the in laws who encouraged
her immediately to seek care. The husband immediately drove her to a local clinic where the
skilled birth attendant midwives examined her and saw that she had a breech presentation and
the cervix was fully dilated with strong contractions. The woman really wanted to deliver at
the hospital where she had booked. The visiting Gynaecologist was informed who came and
manoeuvred the breech and delivered a baby boy with Apgar 7-9/10. She did not report that
she had taken African oxytocin that she was given by her mother and was not aware of the
consequences. Both mother and baby were taken to postnatal in a healthy condition.

2.5 Analysis
The educational, economic and social attributes were in the case but the political and
reproductive rights were not addressed.
2.6 Borderline
Borderline cases are constructed to help illustrate what is nearly but not quite meant by the
concept In borderline case of women empowerment some of the attributes of women
empowerment are missing (Walker and Avant (2011).
Gender equality has made great strides in achieving positive effects on educational, economic
growth globally but most women still have owing unpaid care especially in homes and
domestic work where the women works more than the men hence there is need to achieve
the Sustainable development Goals-5 in years to come 2030.
2.7 Analysis
In a borderline case some of the attributes for women empowerment are missing making
some of the elements of economic empowerment to lag behind. Such as hours of work and
the corresponding payments.
2.8 Contrary case
Cases that might be similar to the model case in regards to same aspects but definitely are
not instances of the concepts (Chin& Kramer, 2011)
Opponents of women empowerment open doors to unqualified, inexperienced and less
interested women to hold office thus reinforcing the stereotypes about women’s lack of skill
and performance .This doubles the edged argument that points at lack of qualification, lack of
opportunities and discrimination which keeps women in a vicious circle Tambiah , 2003).

2.9 Analysis
The contrary case is the opposite of women empowerment with no attributes of women
empowerment. There is lack of cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains of women
empowerment. These are high risk opponents of women empowerment which keeps women
in vicious circle.
3.0 Empirical References

Empirical referents of a concept are classes or categories of actual concept that their existence
demonstrates the occurrence of the concept (Walker & Avant, 2011). Determining the
empirical referents for the defining attributes is the final step of a concept analysis (Walker &
Avant, 2011). There are several published women empowerment measurement instruments in
existence. For this paper, the key parameters of women empowerment are to specify
empirical referents for the women and adolescents girls in the household, communities,
nationally, regionally and globally.
The parameters of women empowerment include raising self-esteem and self-confidence,
elimination of discrimination and all forms of violence against women and girls ,building and
strengthening partnership with women’s organisation, enforcement of constitutional and
legal provisions protect rights of women, building a positive image of women in the society
and recognize their contributions in social, economic and political spheres, developing ability
among women to think critically ,fostering decision making and collective action, enabling
women to make informed choices, ensuring women’s participation in all walks of life and
providing information knowledge, skills for self-employment and prevention of dominance
on either part. Mamta Mokta, 2014).

3.1 Consequences
Walker and Avant (2011) described consequences as defining outcomes as a result of the
concept. An empowered women will experience increased decision making. Women be
stored with education. Empowered to make informed decisions and have freedom to
contribute to household, community, national, regional and global destiny. Women
empowerment refers to acquiring knowledge, understanding gender relations and how the
relations may be changed, developing a sense of self-worth, a belief in one’s ability to secure
desired changes and the right to control one’s life, gaining the ability power and developing
ability to organize, influence direction of educational, political social, economic and
reproductive rights changes locally regionally and internationally Layachi Anser, 2010).
3.2 Conclusion
The goal of the researchers in writing this paper was to have an in depth description of the
definition of women empowerment. In the context of this paper, women empowerment
antecedents include; having an opportunity for advancement, access to information about all
facets of the organization of women empowerment, access to support one’s job
responsibilities and decision making, access to resources as needed by the women, mutual
dialogue. Negotiation skills, illiteracy, low self-esteem, lack of educational, social, economic,
political, psychological power. Lack of education and training, self-determination, child
marriages, unwanted pregnancies, high rates of sexual gender based violence, reduced sense
of potency, and reduced self –reliance, courage, critical thinking and respect of diversity in
women empowerment. The critical attributes include the educational, economic, social,
political and reproductive rights. Consequentially a woman who is educationally,
economically, socio-culturally, politically and is well aware of the reproductive rights is an
empowered woman.

Explanation and analysis of the definition for the purpose of clarifying the definition. Women
empowerment in the context of this study was defined as acquisition of educational,
economic, social, political and reproductive rights.Consequantily an empowered women will
experience increased decision making. Women be stored with education. Empowered women
make informed decisions and have freedom to contribute to household, community, national,
regional and global destiny.Layachi Anser,2010 postulates that Empowered women acquire
knowledge, understanding gender relations and how the relations may be changed, develop a
sense of self-worth, a belief in one’s ability to secure desired changes and the right to control
one’s life, gaining the ability, power and developing ability to organize, influence direction of
educational, political social, economic and reproductive rights changes locally regionally and
internationally.

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IJRDO-Journal of Health Sciences and Nursing ISSN: 2456-298X

Women Empowerment: Concept Paper

1, 2, 3, (University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Nursing Science Department)

*Gladys Mugadza (corresponding Author)

Mobile phone + 263 772595446, Zimbabwe, Harare

Volume-2 | Issue-10 | October,2017 | Paper-6 92

1.0 Introduction and Background

(Chandler, 1992). In order to understand the process of empowerment there is need to

large is of paramount importance. Empowering women socially, economically by training

Volume-2 | Issue-10 | October,2017 | Paper-6 93

unwanted pregnancies. Counselling women on prevention of sexual gender based violence

and promotion of gender equality is of importance in terms of women empowerment (Yesim

Researchers have proven that women empowerment through educational, economical,

of women empowerment is to strengthen women security against sexual gender based

be abolished, emphasizing gender equality and women empowerment (International Planned

Volume-2 | Issue-10 | October,2017 | Paper-6 94

these point out the need for women empowerment globally.

Women remain the world’s most unemployed resources(Tulika Tripalli ,2011).Women

more than 30 seats in their national parliament(Md.Aminur Rahman ,2013).Dependent

empowerment(Benotsch& Sinha ray ,2017).Disabled women need nurse advocates to stand

for them in cases of oppression(Rottercum ,2017).

need to have a reliable indications to track progress.

About 34 countries in Africa are targeting 3 dimensions of women empowerment; attitude to

Volume-2 | Issue-10 | October,2017 | Paper-6 95

is part of muscularity with girls becoming victims of sexually transmitted infections,

HIV/AIDS(Women Empowerment,2016).This information spells out the magnitude of the

out whether women really understand what women empowerment entails…

Volume-2 | Issue-10 | October,2017 | Paper-6 96

critical principles of safe motherhood using women empowerment strategies. (Safe

maternity treatments (Women Empowerment, 2016).

1.1 Problem statement

researcher’s points of view, women empowerment is being mistakenly understood as

dominance leading to an increase of domestic violence. Domestic violence in pregnancy

emotional 25-49 % (WHO, 2014). Empowerment is no longer yielding positive outcomes as

divorces, with Zimbabwe having higher rate of divorce 60%.(Population Development

Review,2015) The in depth definition of women empowerment is not fully understood.

Volume-2 | Issue-10 | October,2017 | Paper-6 97

1.2 Identifying uses of the Concept

women empowerment is a continuum as well as its essentiality and evolutionary(MacEwen

women empowerment when they critically analyse its definition.

1.3 Purpose of Statement

exploration of the definition of women empowerment. Women empowerment was

Volume-2 | Issue-10 | October,2017 | Paper-6 98

women empowerment by assigning antecedents and attributes to the term.

1.5 Defining Antecedents

women empowerment the antecedents include; having an opportunity for advancement,

respect of diversity in women empowerment.

1.6 Defining Attributes

Volume-2 | Issue-10 | October,2017 | Paper-6 99

014,Tulika Tripathi,2011,Rawland,1917,Yesim Global Compact,2016,Paulo

Freire,1996,Layachi Anser,2010,Yesim Global Compact,2017,International Planned

Parenthood Federation,2017,Adolescent Transition to Adulthood,2017,Women

interest ten articles were dropped due to lack of adequate information.

purpose of clarifying the concept. Sociologically women empowerment refers to methods

used to solve social problems emanating from powerlessness (Katajisto, 2003).While

Volume-2 | Issue-10 | October,2017 | Paper-6 100

stated by Arundhadi Chthopadhyaya, 2005, World Health Organisation, 2017, UNICEF,

2017 who defined women empowerment at as a state of complete health, education,