Empowerment examined
Overview
‘Empowerment’ is a term often used in development work, but rarely defined. This article explores the meaning of empowerment, in the context of its root-concept: power. Different understandings of what constitutes power lead to a variety of interpretations of empowerment, and hence to a range of implications for development policy and practice. ‘Empowerment’ terminology makes it possible to analyse power, inequality, and oppression; but to be of value in illuminating development practice, the concept requires precise and deliberate definition and use.
This article is hosted by our co-publisher Taylor & Francis.
Additional details
Author(s)
How to cite this resource
Citation styles vary so we recommend you check what is appropriate for your context. You may choose to cite Oxfam resources as follows:
Author(s)/Editor(s). (Year of publication). Title and sub-title. Place of publication: name of publisher. DOI (where available). URL
Our FAQs page has some examples of this approach.