# **Contents**

|1.<br>A Framework for Understanding and Measuring Empowerment..................... 6|
|---|
|1.1<br>Agency.............................................................................................................. 8|
|1.2<br>Opportunity Structure ....................................................................................... 9|
|1.3<br>Degrees of Empowerment............................................................................... 10|
|1.4<br>Where Empowerment Takes Place—Domains and Levels ............................ 11|
|1.4.1<br>Domains.................................................................................................... 12|
|1.4.2<br>Levels........................................................................................................ 13|
|1.5<br>The Framework Summarized.......................................................................... 14|
|2.<br>Using the Framework...................................................................................... 15|
|2.1<br>Applications.................................................................................................... 15|
|2.2<br>Examples of Application in Interventions ...................................................... 16|
|2.2.1<br>Applying the Framework in Ethiopia: The Women’s Development|
|Initiatives Project (WDIP) ........................................................................................ 17|
|The Project............................................................................................................ 17|
|Measuring Empowerment in WDIP...................................................................... 18|
|2.2.2<br>Applying the Framework in Nepal: The Measuring Empowerment and|
|Social Inclusion (MESI) Study................................................................................. 19|
|The Project............................................................................................................ 19|
|Measuring Empowerment in RWSS..................................................................... 20|
|2.2.3<br>Applying the Framework in Honduras: The Community-Based Education|
|Project (Proyecto Hondureño de Educación Comunitaria, PROHECO).................. 21|
|The Project............................................................................................................ 21|
|Measuring Empowerment in PROHECO............................................................. 22|
|2.2.4<br>Applying the ME Framework in Mexico.................................................. 24|
|The Project............................................................................................................ 24|
|Applying the Framework in the Lifelong Learning Project.................................. 24|
|2.3<br>Applying the Framework within a National Survey....................................... 26|
|2.3.1<br>Agency and Opportunity Structure........................................................... 27|
|2.3.2<br>Degrees of Empowerment......................................................................... 28|
|<br>2.3.3<br>Application at the National Level............................................................. 28|
|3.<br>Summary......................................................................................................... 29|
|Reference List................................................................................................................... 32|

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