Publisher's Synopsis
INTRODUCTION The term "empowerment" is in usage since seventeenth century but has been overused in 1980s and 1990s; it is used as a synonym for participation, for speaking out, or for meeting some basic need. In its undiluted form, however, it is an important concept / idea and philosophy. Key to the concept is power, "power to" and no "power over". Empowerment: Meaning, Definition and concept: Empowerment is derived from the word "empower" meaning to give or to acquire power or to increase power. Thus the word empowerment also implies a change in the equation or level of power. Therefore, it can be viewed as both a process as well as a result of social change. What is the essential duty of power? Power in tern connotes control. In the context of human society, it means control over resources. These resources include natural resources, financial resources, intellectual resources, human resources etc. Hence, women's empowerment is the process by which women gain greater control over material and intellectual resources and the gender based discrimination against women in all institutions and structures of society. Women empowerment is the process .
