In two words we can defeat poverty: One is ‘women’, the other is ….

In Shakespeare's works, many female characters are portrayed as being manipulated, if not controlled outright by the men in their lives as fathers, uncles, suitors and husbands. Therefore, Shakespeare's works appear to send mixed signals regarding the notion of female empowerment.

Empowerment has multiple, interrelated and interdependent dimensions - economic, social, cultural and political. It can be understood in relation to resources, perceptions, relationship and power.

Meaning of Women Empowerment

Women having a sense of self-worth Women’s right to have the power of control over their own lives, both within and outside home.

Women’s ability to influence the direction of social change to create a just social and economic order nationally, internationally and universally. 'Women make up half the world's population and yet represent a staggering 70% of the world's poor. We live in a world in which women living in poverty face gross inequalities and injustice from birth to death. From poor education, poor nutrition to vulnerable and low/no pay jobs at homes, women suffer frightening levels of discrimination in their entire lives. This is unacceptable, yet it is very common.

We all agree that outsiders cannot empower women; only women can empower themselves to make choices or speak out on their own behalf. However, institutions/organizations both locally and internationally can support processes that increase women’s self-confidence, develop their self-reliance, and help them set their own agendas.

The Millennium Development Goal 3 is to promote gender equality and empower women. This MDG is critical for tackling poverty and improving prospects for women. But how can women break gender based stereotypes to minimize discrimination and reduce gender based violence when they are trapped in societies with socio-cultural practices which routinely discriminate them from having equal opportunities in education, health and livelihood? These women are invisible and the obstacles in their way prevent them from accessing the most basic human rights and needs.

So what is the solution? The World Bank believes that 'putting resources into poor women's hands while promoting gender equality in the household and in society results in large development payoffs'. It is therefore fundamental to nurture their self-confidence and empower girls and young women living in poverty to make informed choices about their own lives as well as those of their communities.

ActionAid Ghana (AAG) works to enable behavioral and attitudinal change for boys and girls, young people and communities living in poverty, focusing on education as one of the areas of empowering women and girls in the society. When girls are empowered, the world will see them as equal participants, with an equal voice, and with equal access to opportunities in society.

AAG believes that women have the potential to change their own economic status and that of the communities in which they live. Yet usually women’s economic contributions are unrecognized, their work undervalued and their promise undernourished.

In some part of the country like the Upper East Region, women are still denied the rights to own land or inherit property, access credit due to lack of collateral security, and earn income due to long hours engaged in non-paid jobs. There are also outmoded widowhood rites and other customary inhibitions that violate the rights of women. The result is that women are significantly under-represented in decision-making at all levels.

Education for Girls and Women Unequal opportunities between women and men hamper women’s ability to lift them from poverty and secure sustainable options to improve their lives. Education is the most powerful instrument for changing women’s position in society. Investing in women’s and girls’ education is one of the most effective ways to reduce poverty.

AAG has therefore taken steps over the past years to provide quality education for all by providing school infrastructure, educational materials, formation of school and community-based girls clubs and involving of girls in educational camps, and organizes educational fora’s and policy dialogues with relevant stakeholders. AAG has established a Global Platform where young girls and women are trained to build their confidence, enhance their knowledge, competency and skills, as well as harness their potentials TO complement the efforts of government in providing quality education for all and empowering women.

Education is important for everyone, but it is a critical area of empowerment for girls and women. Dr. Kwagyir Aggrey said: “If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman you educate a whole nation”. This is not only because education is an entry point to opportunity but also because a woman’s educational achievements have positive rippling effects within the family and across generations.

Indeed we need more women like Hillary Clinton, a former Secretary of State of the United States and current contender for the American Presidency, Sonia Gandhi the President of the Indian National Congress and leader of the United Progressive Alliance, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, Argentina’s first elected female President, Ruth Bader Ginsburg-the only woman currently serving on the US Supreme Court.

Qualities Empowered Women

Awareness about risk prevailing in and outside the house, at the work place, and during travels. Have political, legal, economic and health awareness. Knowledge about issues affecting women and positive attitudes towards life. Set future goals and strive to achieve them with courage. Quality and relevant education to the highest level possible Ability to break stereotypes, beliefs, patterns, societal or religious conditions that have traditionally kept women suppressed and unable to realize their true beauty and power.

Increased confidence and representation in decision-making at all levels. Having a population of women in poverty and ill health is not only morally wrong; it is also an economic and social drawback. Sustainable growth cannot take place if 50% of the population is not participating in the development of society and in the economy.

Empowering women enhances their ability to influence changes and to create a better society. Therefore all stakeholders both locally and internationally should join hands to empower women socially, economically and politically to reduce poverty and ensure sustainable development.

Juliet Jalea Adams Project Officer, Upper East Region ActionAid Ghana