Author: Dr. Arfi Anjoon
Abstract: Women’s autonomy in the contemporary globalized world is intricately linked to education, employment, and empowerment initiatives. Education equips women with knowledge, skills, and critical awareness, enabling informed decision-making and increased participation in social, economic, and political spheres (Sen, 1999; Kabeer, 1999). Employment fosters financial independence, enhances bargaining power, and strengthens agency, providing a practical platform for empowerment (Agarwal, 2010; Duflo, 2012). However, structural inequalities, social norms, and cultural expectations mediate the translation of education and employment into genuine autonomy. Using a qualitative approach, this study synthesizes secondary literature, policy reports, and case studies to analyze pathways linking education and employment with empowerment and autonomy. A conceptual framework is proposed to illustrate these relationships, highlighting empowerment as a mediating mechanism and social and cultural norms as moderators. Findings indicate that sustainable autonomy is achieved when interventions simultaneously address education, employment, relational empowerment, and contextual constraints.
Keywords: Women’s Autonomy, Education, Employment; Empowerment, Globalization, Gender Equality.
Page No: 176-181