Topic

Youth Empowerment

Learning part

The World Health Organisation defines ‘Empowerment’ as ‘the process by which people gain control over the factors and decisions that shape their lives. It is the process by which they increase their assets and attributes and build capacities to gain access, partners, networks and/or a voice, in order to gain control’.

One of the major issues in the debate on empowerment is, to do with definition. The term “empowerment” is used across a wide range of disciplines and each brings differing interpretations.

What must be recognised is that ‘empowerment’ is multifaceted and the context in which it is described must be considered and explored. Within a general definition, it is rather vague and can be deemed as lacking clear boundaries. Many scholars and researchers have provided a definition to the term Empowerment within the context of the following areas:

  • Political empowerment
  • Organisational/ Management empowerment
  • Empowerment in education
  • Empowerment of minority/vulnerable groups
  • Empowerment in health and community care

Description of the exercise

After reading the short text above regarding the term Empowerment, drag the words to the right area according to what these areas may include.