We explain what empowerment is and the origin of the term. We also explain the types of empowerment that exist and their implications in different areas.
What is empowerment?
Empowerment is a process that strengthens the capabilities, self-confidence, critical awareness, and leadership of an individual or group. This empowerment allows one to exercise greater control over one’s own life and transform the social, political, or economic environment.
For example, for a long time, gender-diverse minorities have been invisible and marginalized in much of the Western world. However, since the end of the 20th century, women have become empowered, that is, they have organized and actively participated in society to defend their rights and demand a more equitable role.
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The terms “empowerment” and “to empower” are used especially in social movements that fight for the rights of women and sexually or gender-diverse groups. However, they can also be applied to any other group experiencing marginalization or subjugation.
KEY POINTS
- Empowerment strengthens people to take control of their lives and transform their reality.
- Empowered people develop self-confidence, critical awareness, and the capacity for action, which allows them to exercise their rights and actively participate in society.
- Women’s empowerment seeks to guarantee their autonomy, equality, and participation in all spheres.
Origin of the Concept of Empowerment
The concept of empowerment emerged in the 20th century, influenced by the critical thinking of authors such as Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937) and Michel Foucault (1926-1984), who analyzed how power operates not only through force but also through ideological control.
Within this framework, empowerment implies taking an active stance toward these mechanisms to generate social transformation.
Paulo Freire (1921-1997), in his postulates on popular education, defined empowerment as the reduction of vulnerability and the strengthening of the capacities of excluded sectors.
Since then, it has become a central goal of many social movements fighting for equality and the effective participation of marginalized groups.
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Types of Empowerment
Empowerment manifests itself in different areas of life and allows marginalized people to take an active role, generate their own solutions, and reverse their exclusion from the State and the prevailing social vision.
Depending on the context and the resources it empowers, several types of empowerment can be distinguished:
Personal Empowerment:
Strengthens self-esteem and self-confidence.
Legal Empowerment:
Guarantees access to and effective use of legal rights.
Social Empowerment:
Promotes active participation and visibility within the community.
Political Empowerment:
Promotes citizen participation in public and government decisions.
Cultural Empowerment:
Defends the right to identity, diversity, and expression.
Economic Empowerment:
Improves the ability to generate income and control one’s resources.
Psychological Empowerment:
Boosts emotional well-being, resilience, and a sense of self-worth.
Women’s Empowerment
Women’s empowerment is the main tool of feminism. This movement seeks to transform patriarchal structures that historically relegated women to passive, domestic, and secondary roles. It involves making their rights visible and expanding their participation in all spheres of society.
Its fundamental principles are:
- Promotion of gender equality in all spheres.
- Guarantee of equal legal and social treatment.
- Bodily autonomy and access to sexual and reproductive health care.
- Gender-sensitive education to eliminate sexist stereotypes.
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Business Empowerment
In the business world, empowerment is a management model that promotes the decentralization of decision-making and grants greater autonomy and responsibility to employees.
This model is based on:
- Delegating authority and encouraging horizontal leadership.
- Establishing support structures and ongoing training.
- Improving motivation, creativity, and work commitment.
- Transforming the company into an environment that fosters individual and collective development.
Personal Empowerment
Personal empowerment is the process by which a person takes control of their life, strengthens their self-esteem, and makes conscious decisions based on their goals and values. It involves abandoning dependence and adopting an active stance in the face of challenges.
This process includes:
- Developing self-confidence and emotional autonomy.
- Identifying personal goals and strategies to achieve them.
- The ability to resist limiting social or family pressures.
- Active participation in building one’s own life plan.
Levels of Empowerment
Empowerment can be analyzed according to the social level at which it occurs. Each level has its own dynamics, resources, and goals.
Individual Level
It involves beliefs in self-efficacy, skill development, and active participation. It requires an environment that provides support and opportunities, such as empowering organizations or communities.
Organizational Level
It strengthens organizations as autonomous systems. It involves shared leadership, democratic decisions, and collaborative networks. Organizations can empower individuals or act as agents of change.
Community Level
It refers to the collective empowerment of a community with a common identity and goals. It includes citizen participation, self-management, and coordination with larger structures, such as governments or institutions.
References
All the information we offer is supported by authorized and updated bibliographic sources, ensuring reliable content in line with our editorial principles.
- Chiavola, C., Cendrós Parra, P., and Sánchez F. D. (2008). Empowerment from an educational system perspective. Omnia, 14(3), 130-141. https://biblat.unam.mx
- Murguialday, C., Pérez de Armiño, K., and Eizagirre, M. (n.d.). Empowerment. Dictionary of humanitarian action and development cooperation. https://www.dicc.hegoa.ehu.eus
- American University of Europe. (2024). What is empowerment and why you should apply it in your company? https://unade.edu.mx
