Is women's empowerment a reality or a myth?

Empowerment, in its true sense, refers to the ability of individuals to make meaningful choices, exercise control over resources, and influence decisions that shape their social, economic, and political lives. Women's empowerment, therefore, goes beyond access to education or employment; it is about autonomy, dignity, safety, and equality. Although many countries showcase progress in women's education, workforce participation, and political visibility, these achievements are often uneven, fragile, and symbolic. Yet, genuine empowerment is indispensable for building resilient families, equitable societies, and progressive nations.

In contemporary development discourse, women's empowerment has become a widely celebrated concept. Governments, international organizations, and media platforms frequently highlight success stories through policies, campaigns, and international conventions. However, beneath this optimistic narrative lies a critical question: does empowerment truly reflect the lived experiences of most women, or is it largely a myth sustained by selective achievements and token representation?

Social respect and recognition are fundamental to empowerment. Education plays a central role in this process by equipping women with skills, confidence, and opportunities for economic independence. Education has enabled many women to pursue professional careers, delay early marriage, and aspire to leadership roles. Empowered women often act as agents of change, uplifting families and communities. Yet, for millions of girls, education remains disrupted by poverty, child marriage, domestic responsibilities, and restrictive cultural norms. Even when women attain education, they frequently struggle to convert qualifications into equal employment opportunities, leadership positions, or decision-making authority.

 

Women's achievements, however, deserve recognition. Women have explored oceans, skies, and mountain peaks, governed nations, and reshaped history. Leaders such as Begum Khaleda Zia, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Margaret Thatcher, Benazir Bhutto, Angela Merkel, and Giorgia Meloni demonstrate women's capacity to lead at the highest levels

Within families, women are often expected to sacrifice personal aspirations for household responsibilities. Even in educated households, where women appear to manage daily affairs, decision-making power frequently rests elsewhere. A woman may hold equal responsibility at work, yet face greater pressure at home due to unequal domestic roles. When professional performance is affected by these dual burdens, women are judged more harshly, while male counterparts remain unaffected. This contradiction highlights how promises of equality often fail to translate into meaningful transformation. Women's contributions-both economic and emotional-remain undervalued in male-dominated social structures, raising an important question: who sustains this discrimination?

In recent decades, women have increasingly occupied visible roles as politicians, scientists, pilots, athletes, and entrepreneurs. Legal frameworks across countries promise equal rights and justice. However, representation in senior leadership tells a different story. Globally, women continue to constitute a small proportion of heads of state, senior executives, and parliamentary leaders, often averaging below 15 percent. Laws alone cannot dismantle entrenched social norms, institutional bias, and weak enforcement mechanisms. Equality on paper does not guarantee equality in practice, especially when stigma and fear prevent women from seeking justice.

Economic empowerment is often cited as a major indicator of progress. Women's participation in the workforce has increased, particularly in urban and industrial sectors, and microcredit initiatives have expanded entrepreneurial opportunities. Yet, women remain overrepresented in low-paid, informal, and insecure jobs. Persistent wage gaps, the burden of unpaid care work, and limited access to property, inheritance, and financial resources undermine economic autonomy. Participation without control over income or decision-making raises serious doubts about the depth of empowerment.

Political empowerment faces similar contradictions. While women's presence in politics holds symbolic importance, it does not automatically translate into influence or policy change. Many women leaders face discrimination, harassment, and tokenism that restrict their independence and effectiveness. Despite notable progress in education and health sectors, women's representation in higher economic and political decision-making remains disproportionately low.

Women's achievements, however, deserve recognition. Women have explored oceans, skies, and mountain peaks, governed nations, and reshaped history. Leaders such as Begum Khaleda Zia, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Margaret Thatcher, Benazir Bhutto, Angela Merkel, and Giorgia Meloni demonstrate women's capacity to lead at the highest levels. Therefore, dismissing women's empowerment as entirely a myth would be inaccurate. Across societies, women are challenging norms, leading grassroots movements, leveraging digital platforms, and reshaping political and economic spaces. These efforts prove that empowerment is possible-but neither automatic nor universal.

Ultimately, empowerment begins with a shift in mindset. While structural reform is essential, meaningful change can begin at the individual and family level-by teaching sons to respect women, promoting shared responsibilities at home, and valuing equality in everyday interactions. Change does not occur overnight, especially when inequality has persisted for generations, but collective individual actions matter. Respecting women is not merely acknowledging their rights; it is recognizing their contribution to the very foundation of society.

In conclusion, women's empowerment today exists as both reality and myth. True empowerment requires more than policies, quotas, or statistics-it demands deep structural reform, cultural transformation, and the active participation of both women and men. Until empowerment reaches all women, regardless of class, geography, or background, it remains an ongoing journey rather than a completed achievement.