Women’s empowerment has emerged as a crucial issue on a global scale, yet it remains an unsolved problem. Women, for example, continue to be under-represented in education, accounting for nearly 67% of the world’s illiteracy. They also make up a major proportion of the working poor. Significant discrepancies exist between men and women, including the lack of attention to women’s voices in society. This disparity is obvious in various scenarios in which women’s ideas are frequently neglected. Women’s empowerment is commonly seen as a remedy to these discrepancies since it can successfully eliminate prejudice and overcome gender gaps. Therefore, it is critical to understand the characteristics that contribute to empowering women. Achieving this aim is a positive step forward. Empowering women as economic, social, and political actors may have an impact on policy decisions and contribute a diverse set of viewpoints to organizational and societal settings. Gender disparity must be eliminated at the society and family levels to promote development. Empowerment is a multidimensional term that occurs in a variety of spheres including household, communal, national, and international, and crosses political, social, and economic boundaries. As an evolving issue, women’s empowerment must be prioritized at the individual, community, national, and worldwide levels. Awareness and execution of women’s empowerment are lacking across all platforms. 

INTRODUCTION 

Over the past three decades, discussions about women’s empowerment and gender equality have gained significant attention worldwide. It is widely recognized that excluding women from policymaking can harm societal development. The United Nations addressed this issue during the 1995 International Conference on Women in Beijing, aiming to promote women’s empowerment and eliminate gender inequality. Similarly, the third goal of the Millennium Development Goals focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering women. Reducing gender disparity is increasingly seen by many nations, regions, and international organizations. As it is crucial to economic development and progress. Economic, political, cultural, legal, social, and psychological facets are all included in the concept of women’s empowerment (Malhotra et al., 2002). Despite being clearly defined, the idea is difficult to measure because there are no established techniques. Every person has the right to communicate their opinions, influence others, and be heard. 

Treating women equitably and valuing their perspectives leads to economic advancement and other positive outcomes. Women must be given more influence as social, economic, and political contributors to combat poverty and advance development (Chaudry et al., 2012). Achieving gender equality is crucial for development initiatives and policy-making, according to the United Nations Women’s Policy Division (2013). However, early marriage restricts women’s chances, particularly in underdeveloped nations like Pakistan. Women are more unemployed as a result of these early marriages, which also decrease their independence and increase their reliance on males. This also results in low participation of women in the workforce compared to developed countries. Studies show that empowering women, including through the use of education, reduces fertility rates and increases economic stability (Mason, 1987; Woldemicael, 2009). Educated women are more aware of their legal rights and can actively participate in political decision-making (Rihani et al., 2006). To fill the gender gap, it is essential to focus on empowering women at both individual and community levels, especially in Pakistan. Though women’s empowerment impacts individuals and communities, it also has broader implications on national and international levels (Samman & Santos, 2009). However, the reasons for empowerment and its effects vary depending on the specific context and domain. Progress in one area does not automatically mean advancement in others. Therefore, the concept of women’s empowerment needs further exploration across all levels and spheres. 

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT 

The idea of empowerment has its roots and early interpretations in the Protestant Reformation, which placed a strong emphasis on the pursuit of social justice. The concept was later brought into emphasis, especially in a political context, by groups like Black Power and feminism, which campaigned for equality and progress. The idea of empowerment has lost some of its original meaning as a result of interpretations and misinterpretations over time (Batliwala, 2007). This is due in part to the fact that women’s empowerment is a difficult concept to define due to its many facets. The simplest definition of empowerment is increasing one’s autonomy to decide and act, which eventually results in more control over resources (Narayan, 2002).

        Empowering women means diverse things in social, political, and economic contexts. According to the World Bank (2001), it is bettering women’s control over their lives and resources by giving them more freedom to make decisions. Similarly, women who are empowered can take control of their lives, own their actions, and create plans for the future, Kabeer (2001). Empowerment is ultimately about empowering women to better their lives through self-education, skill development, capacity building, and situational adaptation. Women’s effort to empower themselves is essential to this process.

ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF EMPOWERMENT  

• SOCIAL DIMENSION OF EMPOWERMENT  

Enhancing women’s well-being in several areas, including health, education, equal justice, and opportunity, is the main goal of social empowerment. To close the gender gap and promote economic growth, education especially at the primary level is essential (Kabeer, 2003). The second goal of the Millennium Development Goals emphasizes the value of primary education. Women’s literacy rates in Pakistan have improved significantly, going from 12.5% in 1975 to 39.2% in 2004 and then to 48% in 2012–2013. Furthermore, the percentage of women enrolled in primary school has risen to 70%. Women are now more likely to be employed as a result of these advancements.

     However high rates of maternal and newborn mortality as well as numerous pregnancies indicate that women’s health continues to be a serious problem. When compared to 2005, the maternal mortality rate (MMR) decreased from 230 deaths per 100,000 live births to 190 in 2010 and 170 in 2013. The infant mortality rate also declined from 80 per 1,000 live births in 2005 to 73 in 2010 and 60 in 2013 (World Development Indicators). Despite a three-decade fall in fertility rates, there are still issues. Promoting economic growth and raising societal productivity needs improving women’s health via improved social assistance.

• POLITICAL DIMENSION OF EMPOWERMENT  

Women’s empowerment has been a central theme in Pakistan’s national development programs from the country’s inception. Pakistan’s Constitution ensures gender equality by allowing women full rights to contribute to the state’s progress, as detailed in Articles 25, 26, 27, and 32. Political rights are vital for women’s empowerment since they allow them to participate actively in decision-making. Empowerment, at its foundation, entails having the ability to make decisions for oneself rather than relying on others. Political rights are just as important as social and economic rights. However, in Pakistan, as in many underdeveloped nations, there is a significant gender disparity in women’s political participation. Legislative assemblies and political institutions are frequently male-dominated, with women’s representation staying small. Societal standards foster the notion that politics necessitates attributes such as aggressiveness and decisiveness, which are stereotypically associated with men, whereas women are viewed as submissive and unfit for leadership posts. This impression also applies to patriarchal household arrangements, in which women are frequently excluded from decision-making at home and in society (Farooq, 2002). Political empowerment is an essential component of gender empowerment. Active and assertive political engagement affects a group’s decision-making power and improves its position in government.

         All three of Pakistan’s constitutions (1956, 1962, and 1973) allowed women the ability to vote, allowing them to express their concerns and participate in political organizations. Despite this, many women continue to experience hurdles when exercising their voting rights. In some tribal and less educated areas of Pakistan, political parties frequently collude to restrict women from voting, thus limiting their political empowerment.

• ECONOMIC DIMENSION OF EMPOWERMENT  

Economic empowerment is an important part of women’s empowerment, with a focus on access to financial resources, poverty reduction, and general economic development. Women in Pakistan have significant economic disadvantages. For example, the female labour force participation rate in 2003-2004 was extremely low due to factors such as early marriages, and severe cultural and societal constraints on women’s movement. These factors restricted possibilities and the enormous weight of home responsibilities. Since the incorporation of more precise data in the Labour Force Survey in 1991, women’s labour market involvement has been divided into 14 categories, which include both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors. Women’s participation in the formal economy remains low, at just 10%. However, their participation in the informal sector is far larger. Many Pakistani women work from home and live below the poverty line, caring for their children in both rural and urban locations.

       In the 1970s and 1980s, the percentage of women working in metropolitan areas was approximately 4%, by 2013 that number had risen to 10.8%. In metropolitan regions, the unemployment rate is close to 19 percent. However, according to the UNDP report, women’s participation is far higher in rural areas—67% vs 43% for men. Between 1974 and 2012–2013, the percentage of women living in rural areas varied from 14.5% to 27.2%. The current women’s unemployment rate of 6.8% suggests that although more women wish to enter the workforce, there are not enough job opportunities.

• WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION  

The representation of women in political parties is a key indicator of their political engagement. Their membership numbers, the quantity of political tickets they receive, and their participation in political party decision-making bodies must all be considered to evaluate this. Women have had very little participation in political and legislative entities since Pakistan gained its independence (Farooq, 2002). Women’s representation in the political process is essential to political empowerment and real empowerment would happen if women held 50% of the seats.

Women are granted reserved seats in all three of Pakistan’s constitutions. However, a law that reserved 60 of the 342 seats in the National Assembly for women boosted the political influence of women. Still, some critics think that giving women a certain number of seats is not the best option. Although they only accounted for 4% of the National Assembly in 1997, women’s representation climbed to 21% in 2002 and then to 22.2% in 2012–2013. In addition to one-third of the seats in local government, women are also granted 17% of the seats in the Senate and the National Assembly (Articles 25, 26, 27, and 32 of the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan). The Constitution ensures that there is no discrimination based on gender and that all citizens are equal before the law. With 71 female lawmakers, 138 female ministers, and 23 years of female state leadership, Pakistan is ranked 85th in the world for economic empowerment, according to a 2014 World Economic Forum report.

DETERMINANTS OF WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT  

• THE EDUCATION SECTOR 

Many people agree that education is essential to women’s empowerment. Studies conducted by Samman and Santos highlight the close connection between women’s empowerment and education. More literate women, for instance, are more independent, have more financial power, and can travel freely (Samman & Santos, 2009). Additional studies demonstrate that education enhances women’s cognitive capacities, enabling them to contemplate and act to better their lives (Kabeer, 2005). Therefore, education may empower women by empowering them to make choices, increase their self-esteem, and manage their households while interacting with government authorities and service providers (Kabeer, 2005).

           Nonetheless, educational quality is extremely crucial. If women’s education is of poor quality, simply having access to it does not imply that their self-esteem would improve. According to Kabeer (2005), social inequality might affect schooling. For example, children from low-income families may be forced to attend schools with fewer resources.

• THE ECONOMIC SECTOR 

There are key requirements that must be met to successfully empower women, one of which is ensuring they have access to both material and financial resources (Charmes & Wieringa, 2003). A significant gender gap exists in terms of where men and women work and the income they earn, which is evident across all areas of economic activity (The World Bank, 2011). However, research suggests that these gender inequalities tend to decrease with economic growth (Forsythe et al., 2000). 

In addition to reducing gender disparities, economic growth and resources can also enhance women’s empowerment in other ways. For example, Duflo demonstrates that overall economic development positively impacts women’s empowerment by alleviating the stress of poverty. Wealthier households are less likely to face life-or-death decisions, which often result in harmful consequences for women. Therefore, an increase in resources can help reduce vulnerability and improve the well-being of women (Duflo, 2012). 

• ACCESS TO THE LABOR MARKET 

Participating in the labour market is one option for women to improve their financial situation. Research indicates that “when women earn an income, they gain both financial independence and a greater sense of control over their lives” (Dutt et al., 2016). As a result, access to the labour market has a dual impact. It provides women with financial resources, increasing their autonomy, and it gives them a sense of control. This change in status also affects a woman’s function in the home. Her negotiating power grows with her income and possessions, increasing her influence in household decisions (The World Bank, 2011; Samman and Santos, 2009; Kabeer, 1997). However, just raising a woman’s pay or labour market involvement does not guarantee empowerment. Women are frequently employed in more exploitative positions. As a result, it is critical to evaluate not only whether or not women work, but also the nature of their employment. For example, comparing women’s and men’s income ratios can reveal whether women work in lower-paying, more exploitative jobs. 

THE IMPACTS OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT 

This section will focus on the effects of women’s empowerment. The main goal is to identify areas where women had less control or decision-making power and see if empowerment has improved their situation. First, the impact of women’s empowerment on women’s and children’s health will be discussed. Then, the focus will shift to women’s representation in politics. 

WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND CHILDREN’S HEALTH  

This section is divided into two main parts. The first focuses on women’s reproductive health, with an emphasis on women’s right to birth control. The second part addresses children’s health and how women’s increased decision-making power can impact various health outcomes. 

• REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH  

Reproductive health is a comprehensive notion that includes persons’ physical, mental, and social well-being (Wang, 2007). Pillai and Gupta describe women’s reproductive health as the ability to have a pleasant and safe sex life, reproduce, and choose when and how to have children. It is influenced by women’s decision-making power in areas such as marriage, sexual relations, fertility regulation, and access to knowledge on avoiding and treating reproductive disorders and unsafe childbirth. Empowering women to understand and manage their reproductive health is critical to their well-being (Pillai & Gupta, 2006). For example, research in Zimbabwe has found that women with education and work are more likely to have access to contraception (Kabeer, 2005). The larger socioeconomic context is also important (Wang, 2007). As a result, women’s empowerment is critical to enabling women to live their own lives and make autonomous decisions (Pillai & Gupta, 2006). Empowerment also helps to build a social movement for reproductive rights, and research indicates that gender equality is positively related to personal reproductive rights (Pillai & Gupta, 2006). Many researchers believe that empowerment leads to greater usage of birth control (Samman & Santos, 2009; Schuler & Hashemi, 1994; Muzaffar et al., 2018). However, Wang claims that research on the association between women’s reproductive health and social-structural determinants is still limited and insufficient (Wang, 2007).

• CHILDREN’S HEALTH 

As women’s decision-making power grows, they not only campaign for reproductive rights but also invest more in their children’s well-being than males (Batliwala, 2007). This is true both in relative and absolute terms; women prefer to devote a bigger amount of their earnings to their children, whilst males are more inclined to spend on themselves (Charmes & Wieringa, 2003). This disparity is most obvious in children’s health outcomes (Pratley, 2016). As a result, measurements of children’s well-being can be powerful indicators of whether women have control over resources and hence reflect the influence of women’s empowerment.

CONCLUSION 

The social, political, and economic empowerment of women is heavily advocated in the text. In the modern, globalized world, women’s roles must be expanded to guarantee a nation’s prosperous growth. There must be significant efforts made to do this, particularly in the fields of education and health. Both at home and at work, a well-educated and healthy woman may be extremely productive. Since basic education is necessary for the business sector to employ women to support economic growth, it should be mandatory for all women to complete primary school.

In Pakistan, women are talented but often unaware of their abilities and the opportunities available to them. Education will help them recognize their potential and contribute to the development of the country. Gender-equal policies should be established by the government to encourage women to enter the workforce. To achieve this, print and digital media may be used to inspire women to enter the workforce and demonstrate their skills. Many women have also found success, thanks to microfinance. Microfinance assistance, specifically for women, is already offered by banks such as Tameer Bank, Kashf, Khushali Bank, and The First Women’s Bank. The lives of those women who are striving for independence might be transformed if these banks broaden their scope.

Women’s empowerment also depends on their political representation.

REFERENCES  

Al‐Sharmani, M. (2010). Legal Reform, Women’s Empowerment and Social Change: The Case of Egypt. IDS Bulletin, 41(2), 10-17. 

Batliwala, S. (2007). Taking the power out of empowerment–an experiential account.

Development in practice, 17(4-5), 557-565. 

Dutt, A., Grabe, S., & Castro, M. (2016). Exploring links between women’s business ownership and empowerment among Maasai women in Tanzania. Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy, 16(1), 363-386. 

Forsythe, N., Korzeniewicz, R. P., & Durrant, V. (2000). Gender inequalities and economic growth: A longitudinal evaluation. Economic Development and Cultural Change, 48(3), 573-617. 

Grootaert, C. (2005). Assessing empowerment at the national level in Eastern Europe and

Central Asia. Measuring empowerment: Cross-disciplinary perspectives, 309-40.

Kabeer, N. (1999). The conditions and consequences of choice: reflections on the measurement of women’s empowerment. (Vol. 108, pp. 1-58). Geneva: UNRISD.