New Publication: Empowerment: A Journey not a Destination

06 January 2012

The DFID-funded Pathways of Women’s Empowerment Programme launches the findings and recommendations from five years of research in London next week. The synthesis report, entitled 'Empowerment: A Journey not a Destination' draws on the collective works of 60 academic-activists in 12 countries on four continents.

The report, together with six companion policy papers and case studies, shares their learning and analysis on what works to enhance women’s empowerment in different parts of the world. The programme tackled issues which lie at the heart of feminist research and advocacy: women’s work and access to employment and an independent income; women’s sexualities and intimate relationships; and women’s voice and engagement in political institutions and processes.

The report concludes that pathways to women’s empowerment are diverse and highly contextual: what works in one context to transform women’s lives will not necessarily produce the same effects in another. It points to the centrality of both relationships and sexuality to ensuring women’s empowerment, as well as changing attitudes and values which are ‘as important ... as changing women’s material circumstances and political opportunities’.

The Pathways of Women’s Empowerment Programme is an international research and communications programme that has focused for the last five years on understanding and influencing efforts to bring about positive change in women’s lives.

The launch of the report will be marked by an event to be held at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London on Friday 13th of January 2012.