Renee Goggin

Mrs. Thomas
UWRT 1104
7 November 2016

Inquiry Essay
First and foremost, I would never have anticipated such difficulty in analyzing a simple
inquiry question. I approached my proposal with an open mind, eager to attain knowledge I had
once been lacking, but I discovered far more than this. From browsing Internet articles, to
examining scholarly references, and even formulating a series of charts, my thoughts became
overwhelming. Not only did I notice how broad the topic of womens empowerment was, but the
unimaginable number of pieces that composed its entirety. For this reason, the qualities that
define womens empowerment became my primary focal point for this essay. In reading, They
Say I Say, by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein, I have learned the importance of engaging
readers, as well as incorporating multiple voices.
My first draft was definitely a rough outline of what seemed accurate, but now I
contemplate what in the world was I thinking when I wrote this? It seemed like my thoughts were
forcefully strung together, rather than synthesized properly. I attempted to avoid creating a
research paper, including a series of reliable sources and voices. This second time around, I do
plan on integrating scholarly articles and simply expanding on the knowledge I have gained. I
hope to see a drastic difference in my writing capabilities and cohesiveness. My goal is to use
evidence to defend my inquiry question and elaborate in the best way possible.

The empowerment of women has always been an interest of mine. Not because I am a
woman, but because its evolution is quite complex. From Native American women restricted to
household chores and children, to deprivation of voting rights, and attaining positions in
government systems, women have escaped their previous designated roles. Despite being a part
of humanity, essentially their existence was dehumanized. Today, we still trace back to actions of
the past, utilizing them as precedents to improve the upcoming future. This question strikes me
daily and I would be surprised if it did not gain the attention of others as well.
However, we have seen transitions throughout the years, where women have established
names for themselves through courageous action and behavior. What qualities must be inherited
for upcoming women to attain such ingenuity?
Empowerment is defined by, the increase in strength through political, social,
economic, and social aspects amongst individuals and community, developing a foundation of
total confidence (SelfGrowth, 1996-2016). After reading novels, scholarly articles, and even
personal documentaries, a multitude of thoughts consume my brain. As I analyze, Find Me
Unafraid: Love, Loss, and Hope in an African Slum, empowerment is prevalent and embracing.
This common reading book exposes poverty in Kibera, one of the poorest areas in Africa.
Although poverty symbolizes a major theme throughout the novel, promoting education for
women is prominent as well. The main characters, Kennedy Odede and Jessica Posner,
established Shining Hope for Communities to transform the uneducated into inspirational
leaders. Young women primarily, are the catalyst to create change and alter the unfortunate
situations in Kibera.

Author Jessica Posner announces, Ever since I was a child my reaction to the forbidden
has been a stubborn desire to keep pushing: obstacles make something uncontrollably and deeply
necessary (Jessica Posner, 2015). Evaluating this statement, empowerment is embarked through
the idea of uncertainty and doubt, attempting to prove the majority wrong.
The importance to my classmates and I stems from class discussions and the skill to dig
deeper into the issue itself. Was it at that time when I solely became fascinated by the qualities of
empowerment, or that of the so called iceberg model? Theoretically speaking, a man by the
name of Edward T. Hall proposes an analogy between culture and an iceberg. Promoting the idea
that only a small portion of culture are visible to the naked eye, while a larger portion is
overshadowed below the icebergs surface (Blogger, 2011). For example, the concept of
stereotypes could be identified through this model. While the concept itself remains bold on the
surface of the iceberg, its internal and external factors lie beneath the water.
Reflecting back on womens empowerment, this is just a small indicator of what lies
within its title. Whether people believe that women simply gain power through confidence and
self-esteem, they are sadly mistaken. This is the moment when factors like background, early
life, social acceptance, economy, and even politics, remain below the surface unidentifiable.
Empowerment is created once these concepts are recognized and applied.
In regards to Jessica and Kennedy, their difference in cultural background, does not
take away from their passion for educating young girls for the future. Attaining qualities like
perseverance, courageousness, and determination, separate those who are empowered, from
those who refuse to stand out. Empowerment entails change. People who exercise a great deal
of choice in their lives may be very powerful, but they are not empowered, because they were

never disempowered in the first place (Naila Kabeer, 2010). The statement evokes that
empowerment is not achieved through power, but through the capability to conquer whatever
may stand in your way, regardless of complications.
I tell my story not because it is unique, but because it is not. It is the story of many girls
(Malala, Yousafzai, 2014). The Nobel Peace Prize winner of 2014 was in fact a Taliban girl by
the name of Malala Yousafzai. She was a victim of a violent crime, when a group of men shot her
as she ventured to school one day. From that moment on, she made a promise to herself,
reinforcing the importance of quality schooling and essential resources to succeed. Her
endeavors were clear, as she was an advocate for education, moving towards the importance of
education for females. The Millennium Project: Taking Action to improve womens health
through gender equality and womens empowerment, identifies education as a way to enhance a
womans credibility. Research shows that education is most beneficial to women in settings in
which they have greater control over their mobility and greater access to services (Caren
Grown, Geeta Rao, and Rohini Pande, 2005).
However, where is it that the skill of innovation begins to coincide with empowerment?
Or is it simply attempting to engage, in order to promote some sort of change?
The Huffington Post , an online newspaper suggests, We are our own biggest advocate,
and if we break that stereotypical girl versus girl mentality theres so much we can do. Multiple
women left blog comments, emphasizing the importance of uplifting words and taking the
positive initiative.

We are all familiar with the concept of fairness and equality. Past studies have revealed
that in order to obtain a sense of empowerment, multiple steps must be taken. The Secretary
General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, for example, has argued that achieving gender
equality is a prerequisite to achieving the other Millennium Developmental Goals, including
eliminating poverty, reducing infant mortality, achieving universal education, and eliminating the
gender gap (United Nations, 2005). This quote in general, offers a clear understanding of
fundamentals of empowerment. In essence, I believe the question of What Are the Qualities of
Womens Empowerment, translates to strength on a whole new level, uncovering further
questions into that matter. Why is it that so many factors trace back to womens empowerment?
In essence, this corresponds ultimately to empowering generations and self-esteem.
Context, innovative systems, timing, diffusion, and gender equality, alter the lifestyles of women,
preparing them to acclaim strength. Chief of Gender and Equality Section, Valentine M.
Moghadam and his fellow consultant, Lucie Senftova, introduce the Beijing Platform in a social
science journal. Here, womens empowerment is distinguished as a multidimensional concept,
indicating that civil rights, social, economic, and political domains contribute to the effectiveness
existing in women (Valentine M. Moghadam and Lucie Senftova, 2005). A woman is not defined
by her perspective, but instead her character. But how is it that maintaining a healthy lifestyle,
body, and mind, directly affects mental processes.
Empowerment of women for a health development: A global perspective addresses a
correlation between promoting health and stable career opportunities for societal women.
Scholarly studies by SnehenduB.Kar,CatherinePascual,KirstinChickering,andTracy
Hazelton,revealleadershipdevelopment,mobilization,andequityofinjustice,asanimmediate

resultofhealthpromotion.Theperspectivesandinitiativestakenbywomenaredependenton
theirstability.Awomanshealthylifestylestartswithbecomingintouchwiththem,aswellas
inheritingdrive.Somemightask,Whatdoeshealthhavetodowithempoweringwomen?The
answerhereisquitesimple.Attheheartofthisprocess(HealthPromotion)isempowermentof
thecommunities,theirownershipandcontroloftheirownendeavorsanddestinies
(UNDP,1999;KarandAcalay,2000).Withoutmentalhealthstability,womenarethatmuch
morelimitedtoconqueringtheiraspirations.Essentially,awomansabilitytoignorethesenses
ofdoubtandfailure,providethemwiththechancetopersevere.Whenawomanfindsitwithin
herselftosurroundherselfwithpositiveenergyandlight,sheishealthy.Thisthenleadsmeto
wonderhowcanwereinforcetheimportanceofhealthywomen,andwheredoesthisprocess
start?
TheUnitedNationsisonamission.Notonlytoadvertisethegreatpotentialsofour
societalwomen,buttoemphasizetheirdevelopment.Empoweringwomentoparticipatefully
ineconomiclifeacrossallsectorsisessentialtobuildstrongereconomies,achieveinternational
agreedgoalsfordevelopmentandsustainability,improvethequalityoflifeforwomen,men,
families,andcommunities(UNWomen,n.d.).Progressiveimprovementswerenotestablished
overnight.Instead,revisionsinrightsandaccessibilitieswerereinstalledforsolelywomen.
Accordingtoanonlinepressarticle,EffortstoEmpowerWomen,InitiativestoPromote
SustainableEconomicGrowthMutuallyReinforcing,SayThirdCommitteeSpeakers,advancing
genderequalityisanimportantassettoempowerment.Asnearlyfourdozenspeakerstookthe
floortourgefurtherinternationalcooperationthroughtakingstepsforwardandoutlining
economicempowermentandimprovingsocialstatusofwomen(UnitedNations,2014).Here,

thegovernmentispushingforaccelerationinopportunitiesforsocietalwomentoengageinthe
evolutionofourcommunity.
Whatkindofobstaclescouldbeaffiliatedwithwomensleadershipandinnovation?
Currently,strategiesarebeinginvestigated,aswellasthefactorsassociatedwiththedelayingof
empowerment.AccordingtoYogiAtlin,aHumanResourcesAdvisorinthePhilippinessuggests
thattherearethreemajorbarriersdelayingthepursuitofwomensempowerment(Atlin,2015).
Nationalculturesandideologies,multiplerolesthatwomenhold,aswellasaglobalbias,
resemblehardshipsforcurrentandupcomingwomen.Ultimately,womenofthepast,were
expectedtobecomeaccustomedtocleaning,chores,andtakingcareofchildren,whilemenhad
thefreedomtoacclaimtheirownendeavors.However,whichofthesethreebarriersseemsto
provemostdifficultforwomentoconquer?
BarrierstoWomensLeadershipandStrategiesforWomensEmpowerment,states,
Globalbiasnessisthebeliefthatmenpossesssuperiorskillstowomentobetterhandlethe
demandofmanagerialroles.Withallfactorsbeingequal,byvirtueofgenderonly,amanwillbe
agreaterqualifiedleader(Atlin,2015).Thoughtprocessessuchasthisone,leadnotonlyto
conflict,butselfimageissuesintheeyesofwomen.Inthiscase,thetermwomens
empowermenthaslittletonoacknowledgementfromamanwithadominantperspective.
Despitecomplicationsofcharacterandselfimage,farmoreproblemslieahead.
Genderstereotypinginfluenceshumanresourcesdevelopmentdecisionssuchas
selectionandrecruitment,traininganddevelopment,promotion,etc.(Atlin,2015).Womenare
affectedinvariousways,shapes,andforms;however,thisdoesnotstoptheirsenseof

empowerment.Inregardstopresentday,womenaretransforming,intobolderindividuals
demandingtobeheard.Althoughthismayseemlikeastepforwardforgenderequality,the
meaningofempowermentcaneasilybemisconstrued.Whileempowermentmaybetheintended
goaltoachieve,theideologyoffeminismcanbebroughttoattention.Essentially,thequestion
speaksforitself.Whatisthedifferencebetweenwomensempowermentandfeminist
perspectives?
Whilewomensempowermentfocusesprimarilyonpromotingstrengthandopportunities
forwomen,feminismreachesanewlevel.Whenisthisidentified?
Feminismissimplydefinedby,thebeliefthatmenandwomenshouldhaveequalrights
andopportunities:organizedactivityinsupportofwomensrightsandinterests(Webster,Since
1828).AwomanbythenameofSoumadeepMazumdarproposes,Theproblemariseswhen
empowermentgoesbeyondacertainlimit.Forexample,patriarchalsocietydictatesthatno
matterwhatawomanisnotsupposedtohitaman.Womensempowermentwouldbeconsisting
ofselfdefenseclasses,whileFeministsinsistthatnooneshouldhitanyotherperson,whetherit
bemanorwoman(Mazumdar,2015).Inthiscase,feminismisseeninanegativelight,
however,itcanbeviewedfromdifferentperspectives.Notallwomenwhoareempowered
affiliatethemselvesasafeminist,butinsteadaninspiration.
Inpresentdaysociety,theLGBTcommunitystrugglestoattainasenseofacceptance
andclarity.HowToAppreciatetheTrueBenefitsofFeminismmentions,Whilefeminismcan
beundeniablydogmatic,divisiveandaggressive(particularlyinthewest),itcan,andhasbeen
extremelysupportive,revolutionaryandadvantageoustonotonlywomen,butalsotomenand

thosenotidentifyingwithgender(Mazumdar,2015).Itisquitefascinatinghowonegroupof
individualsfightingforonecausehavethepowertoinfluencesuchlargenumbersalongtheway
aswell.Inthiscase,wasitempowermentthatleadstofeminism?Recentstudieshave
investigatedastowhetherthetheoriesofempowermentandfeminismcoincide,orifthetwo
havenocorrelation.TimeMagazinepublishesastatementreading,SelfEmpowermenthas
becometherallyingcryofmainstreamfeminism,akindofcooperatefriendly,nonthreatening
feministlite.Empowermentdoesnotmeanamaterialgaininstatus,butaninnerfeelingof
potency.Thefeministmovementhasstartedtosoundlikeabranchoftheselfhelpindustry
(Whippman,2016).
Thetwoconceptshavecorrelation,butonlyuntilacertainextent.Oncewomenextend
beyondasensibleboundary,thetwoconceptsbegintodiverge.Inordertoescapethepotential
negativelightoffeminism,whatisthemosteffectivewaytorestoreempowerment?
Restorationstartswithunderstanding,andeventuallyapplyingthoseideasto
development.TheArtofLivingmentions,Torestoretheirrightfulanddignifiedstatushas
initiatedempowermentprogramsthatprovideasolidfoundationtonurtureinnerstrength,
creativity,andselfesteemofwomenfromallwalksoflife(TheArtofLiving,n.d).The
processofempowermentstartswithsmallersteps,includinginnerrejuvenation.Ratherthan
feelinginfluencedbyexternalforces,internallyiswhereselfesteememerges.Butwhoisitthat
resemblespositiveempowermentandsuchadmiration?
AnadvocateforWomentoWomenInternationalexclaims,Onewomancanchange
anything.Manywomencanchangeeverything(Macneil,2011).HernameisChristine

Karumba.OriginallybeingfromtheDemocraticRepublicoftheCongo,sheremembersthe
violenceandimmediatethreatstosocietalwomen.However,herinternationalprogramnow
promoteswomensrightsandprovidesessentialassistancetoanyonewhomayneedit.
Therootsofwomensempowermentflourishfromonespectrumtoanother.Inother
words,evenminimalstrengthcanestablishintosomethingsogreat.Regardlessofanynegative
light,womensempowermentisfulfilledthroughcourageandaspirations.Asuccessfulwoman
isonewhocanbuildafirmfoundationwiththebricksothershavethrownather.

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