Our understanding of empowerment is recognizing the inner strength of women, supporting them in identifying and realizing their own capacity and believing in their ability every step of the way.

Furthermore, there is evidence of the link between Empowerment and:

Increased motivation

Stronger task commitment

Greater initiative in carrying out role responsibilities

Greater persistence in the face of obstacles and setbacks

Empowerment in its nature is related to four main components: self-confidence, feeling of impact, self-determination and meaning,

Meaning

is seen as the “engine of empowerment” and is linked to the feeling of personal importance.

Competence

on the other hand relates to the confidence in one’s abilities and skills.

Self-determination

refers to the degree to which one feels freedom in choosing how to initiate and complete a certain task. A level of autonomy and a feeling of independence.

Impact

concerns the belief in one’s ability to influence the task outcomes. The perception of control over what happens in their environment.

(See also Spreitzer, 1995)

Therefore, the EMPROVE approach is strongly aligned towards the empowerment of the DV survivors and seeks to increase their individual perception of meaning, competence, self-determination and impact.