There are several definitions of the term ‘women’s economic empowerment’. As an example, see three of them provided by different non-profit organisations:
“CARE defines women’s economic empowerment as the process by which women increase their right to economic resources and power to make decisions that benefit themselves, their families and their communities.” (1)
“The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation defines women’s economic empowerment as the transformative process that helps women and girls move from limited power, voice, and choice at home and in the economy to having the skills, resources, and opportunities needed to compete equitably in markets as well as the agency to control and benefit from economic gains.” (2)
“OXFAM defines women’s economic empowerment as a situation when women enjoy their rights to control and benefit from resources, assets, income and their own time, and when they have the ability to manage risk and improve their economic status and wellbeing.” (3)
When reading those definitions, we can identify important intersections which define the key criteria on how to understand WEE: power to make decisions, access to resources and economic benefit.
