Journal of American Science, 2011;7(1) http://www.americanscience.

org

Women’s Empowerment for Rural Development

Fatemeh Allahdadi

Dept. of Organizational and Industrial Psychology,

Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht Branch
[email protected]

Abstract: The main objective of this study provides a strategy for women’s empowerment for rural development.
Empowerment can enable women to participate, as equal citizens, in the economic, political and social sustainable
development of the rural communities. The findings outlined in this paper suggest that, designed and implemented in
ways that meet rural women’s diverse needs, community participation processes that can be important to facilitating
social, technological, political and psychological empowerment in terms of rural development. The findings of this
investigation can assist rural developers in the implementation of community development strategies based on
women’s empowerment.

[Fatemeh Allahdadi. Women’s Empowerment for Rural Development. Journal of American Science
2011;7(1):40‐42]. (ISSN: 1545‐1003). http://www.americanscience.org.

Keywords: women’s empowerment, rural development, local development

Introduction have facilitated empowerment. This requires the

Since the 1990’s women have been development of useful models of empowerment and
identified as key agents of sustainable community effective methods for evaluating and critically
development and women’s equality and assessing claims for empowerment (Anderson, 1996).
empowerment are seen as central to a more holistic
approach towards establishing new patterns and A model of rural women’s empowerment
processes of development that are sustainable Drawing on Friedmann’s framework
(Handy & Kassam, 2004). The World Bank has (Friedmann, 1992) and the meanings and indicators
suggested that empowerment of women should be a of empowerment identified in the analysis, Figure 1
key aspect of all social development programs(Bank, presents the model of rural women’s empowerment
2001). The term 'empowerment' is a contested that was developed (Lennie, 2002). This illustrates
concept which connotes different meanings the interrelationships between the four forms of
depending on different perspectives of looking at it empowerment that were identified, and summarizes
(Asnarulkhadi & Aref, 2009). The empowerment of the key features of each form of empowerment.
women means for them to have the necessary ability Although these four forms of empowerment are
to undertake a number of tasks either individually or discussed separately in this paper, there are clearly
in groups, so that they have further access to and many interrelationships and overlaps between them
control of society resources. Empowerment is (Lennie, 2002).
recognized as an essential strategy to strengthen the
well-being of individuals, families and communities, The types of women’ empowerment
government and non government agencies (Aref, The major types of empowerment
2010). In other word empowerment is an abiding can be summarized into four groups (Lennie,
process which takes place with specific intent so
enabling them to have further control over society’s
2002).
resources. (Rezaei, 2007). Numerous studies of Community empowerment: Access to new
empowerment have been published (Aref & Ma’rof, and useful knowledge and awareness, Developing
2009; Aref et al., 2009; Gillman, 1996; Gore, 1992; new skills, abilities, confidence and competence,
Humphries, 1994; Lennie, 2002; Peters & Marshall, obtaining the friendship and support of other women,
1991). This literature suggests that rural researchers participating in various activities with other women.
need to adopt a more critical approach to the concept Organizational empowerment: New
and to be more explicit about the processes they claim knowledge and awareness about new benefits of
technology for rural development through rural
http://www.americanscience.org 40 [email protected]
 Journal of American Science, 2011;7(1) http://www.americanscience.org

tourism development or development of agriculture Psychological empowerment: An increase in

cooperatives. self-confidence and self-esteem, Greater motivation,
Political empowerment: Influencing other inspiration, enthusiasm and interest to develop new
government policies and decisions that affect on rural skills and knowledge, to keep pushing for better
communities, changing town-based people’s beliefs, services for rural people, feelings of belonging related
networking with people in government and industry to participation in the online groups in particular
and other women to discuss issues affecting rural (Lennie, 2002).
women and rural communities.

Figure 1: The key forms and features of rural women's empowerment Adapted from (Lennie, 2002)

New knowledge and information Having a voice and being listened to

Awareness and understanding of issues Participating in policy making
Skills, abilities and competence Taking action to change the community
Support, friendship and inspiration Networking and lobbying
Participating in group activities Changing stereotypes about rural women

Community Political
empowerment empowerment

Organizational Psychological
empowerment empowerment

Knowledge bout role of rural organization Self confidence and self esteem
Awareness about role of agricultural Feeling more valued and respected
cooperatives Motivation, interest and enthusiasm
Access to technical assistance of Freedom to do things or express yourself
organizations Feelings of belonging
Wellbeing and happiness

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 Journal of American Science, 2011;7(1) http://www.americanscience.org

Bank, W. (2001). Engendering Development:

Conclusion Through Gender Equality in Rights,
The result of this study is suitable for the Resources, and Voice. New York: Oxford
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empowerment, including the use of agricultural “we” do for “you”? Struggling over
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Handy, F., & Kassam, M. (2004). Women’s
empowerment in rural India. Paper
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