It is important to understand that empowerment can take different forms for different women.

On a recent field visit to study gender relations in rural western Nepal, Emma Karki was inspired to share her experience with a wide audience across the country via The Kathmandu Post. Her op-ed focuses on the story of one woman, contextualizing her experience within the larger realities of male out-migration and intra-household power structures. Drawing from her field visits under the guidance of Stephanie Leder and Floriane Clement for the BRACED-Anukulan project, Emma contemplates the nuances within Sustainable Development Goal 5, which advocates for the “empowerment of all women and girls”. Emma dives deeper, writing: “Although there is widespread perception in the development sector that women’s increased involvement and decision-making is a form of empowerment, it is important to assess if women themselves feel that way.”

 

Read the full article on the Kathmandu Post or Download the PDF version.