Women Empowerment; A Philosophical Appraisal

Women Empowerment; A Philosophical Appraisal
Abstract
Women empowerment lies at the heart of development of every society. Thought there is a wide spread theoretical agitation for women empowerment, the present experience tell that the status of women can skill not be compared to that of men. Women have been and continue to be subjugated in many ways – for example inequality exists between men and women in photo, culture, reneging, economic, the labour market, even an the family. This work seeks to expose the decimation against women and appraise the values of women in the society and the need for empowerment. It argues that women empowerment can facilitate a reduction in women discrimination. Also discussed is what needs to be done by women to enhance an effective change in this present predicament.
Chapter One
1.1. Introduction
Women empowerment is human right that lies at the heart of development and achievement of millennium development goals. There is sample historical evidence to indicate that, there is discrimination against women all over the world and this is due to common belief that women are inferior to men. Evidence abound in philosophical circle about derogatory perception of women scholars such as Aristotle, Nietzsche, hegel and Descartes. Most women are discriminated against in performance of some duties not because of their inability to carry out the action but because of their sex.
This work is set to expose and appraise the sub-ordinate position of women in our society. In this chapter, we shall see what is empowerment, discrimination and the different aspects to women discrimination, such as the physiological and psychological aspects of discrimination against women.
In chapter two, we shall discuss the place of women in the society, such places like family, labour market and education, and we shall also address the question that often comes to mind “Are men and women equal?.
In chapter three, we shall discuss the implications of women’s discrimination to the well being of the society and the significance of women’s empowerment in our society.
The summary, conclusion and suggestion shall be finally articulated in chapter four. This work will help us to asses the value of women and the benefits of their empowerment to the development of the society.
1.2 Concept Clarification
1. Empowerment
According to BBC English dictionary “empowerment is when someone is empowered to do something or given authority or power to do something”. Again is defined as to give somebody the power or authority to act. It is having more control over their life or more power to do something. It also means to give authority or power to authorize, give strength and confidence to. It is the legal roght to do something. Empowerment is having authority, confidence and the strength to do something.
Empowerments in relation to women is the ability of women to control and direct things which affect them. It is the provision of adequate opportunity to women to development potential and contribute to the development of the nations in particular and to the world in general. It is the provision of conducive environment and the opportunities to women to contribute their quota to the social, political and economic development of a nation it is the capacity to mobilize resources to produce beneficial social changes. Women empowerment therefore authority and power to act as their male counter parts do.
2. Discrimination
Oxford English Dictionary defines discrimination “as a recognize distinction between people and things or treat one person or group worse or better than others.”2 It is unfair treatment people because of their religion, race or other personal feature. It is the practical of treating one person or group of people less family or less well than other people or group. It also means a recognition and understanding of the difference between one thing and another or good judgment or taste. Discrimination is a sociological term of referring to the treatment taken toward or against a person of a certain group in consideration based solely on class or category. Discrimination is the actual behaviour towards another group from opportunities that are available to other group. It involves excluding and restriction on members of one group or rejection. It is the ability or power to see or make fine distinction, discernment. It is a treatments or consideration based on class or category rather than individual merit. It refers to any instance of treating someone in a less favourable manner on the basis of that person’s characteristics.
Discrimination is not only one sided thing women discriminate against women, men against men, women against men, men against women.
In the course of this work, wish to discuss discrimination against women. Women has been discriminated against in so many ways, almost in every aspect of their lives. Though there skill exist discrimination among women, women discriminate themselves. There are some instances that it is the women tat does not want to give way to her fellow woman. Some stereotyped women believe that their place is I the kitchen and not the public sector. But we are going to discuss discrimination against women by their male counter part, at the level of culture, politics religion, economic and education.
Sex discrimination refers to the deferential treatment of women and men on the basis of their categorical membership, gender without consideration of individual differences in terms of ability competence, inclination and commitment. Women occupy the inferior positions and regarded as the weaker sex. They are the ones who receive the lesser (or no) are of the valued societal good. Aristotle as a philosopher saw women as naturally weak and licentious. To him women are “unfinished men.”3 from early childhood women learn that the world of individual achievement is closed to them and that their primary vocation is to please and serve men. In our society men are allowed, encouraged, to be daring to reach out and accomplish a project. Men are supposed to be rational, inventive and creative, but less is expected of women.
Women are always under the control of men, either directly or indirectly. Their discrimination starts from the family. They are expected to be dependent on the male folks and do as they are commanded or ordered to do so this they called “ the act of been submissive”. They are regarded as the second class citizens. Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women defines discrimination “as they distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or mulling the recognition, enjoyment or exercise? Women are discriminated through the following ways.
A) Culture
Culturally speaking, women have been discriminated against. Men are considered naturally more analytic, aggressive and interested in success while women are considered as nurturing, compassionate better at child bearing and care worse at exciting decision making. In our culture women are treated as the second sex. Men behave as if they are the subjects, treating women as the objects, thus disproving them of the responsibility for their own life for example the T.V cultural in Nigeria permits men to offer their wives as entertains to their visitors. According to Dobkin “natural derived women choice and make them to attend the interest of others, husbands, parents and lads in place of their own”.4 culture demands women to marry on time, otherwise, she would find it hard to get married at a later data. I came to a conclusion that culturally or otherwise girls are considered as milk once split, it cannot be picked up. They are not expected to choose their mate. Culturally women are considered desirably by men or sex and child bearing.
B) Religion
Most religions either directly or indirectly discriminates against women or support their discrimination. Christianity and some other religions believe that women should be submissive to men. In Gen 3:16b 1 quote “—– and they desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall over thee”.5 women are excluded from the position of priesthood in the Christendom, as well as the Muslims. Women are more in number yet most discriminated against. In water town church Rev. D. Timothy Labouf dismissed Mary Lambert as a Sunday school teacher for an adult class after she’s been on the job for over 50 years, making reference to 2timothy 2:11 and 12.
Women are expected to learn in quietness and full submission. Woman are not expected to each or have authority over a man, she must be silent. According to Aristotle women are unfinished men.
C) Political
Women have skill, potentials, intelligent, brilliant, smart but why is t that up till now they are not fully given, if at all, women are expected to go to minor position and not major ones like the position of president and the vice-president. They are seen as inferior to men and regarded as second class citizen and should be subordinate to men. They should nor seek for tops in political level because they would not even be considered. They are alleged that thus has to do with patriarchal hierarchies in society. Politically women are sublime in budgetary consideration and participation in matters of self interest.
In united states of American, only three women have served as their governors. And in Nigeria a women was made Governor for three months. None has become the presidents or the vice- president. They are excluded to some extent from political offices.
D) Economic
Most women are now educated not like the ancient times where women were not regarded as people who should be educated. But skill educated women are advised and convinced to stay in their place because they are expected to work in women’s jobs and one wonders if really men and women always do different works. But what causes job segregation today? Is it that women are not seen as men capable in doing the jobs regarded as men’s job?.
At working place, women are sexually harassed. An organization arose to fight against all forms of discriminating acts, with the aim to liberate women from the stereotyped roles which they have been wicked into and prevents their development for example the CEDAW (convention on the elimination of all forms of disc rumination against women. Economically women are poor; through women have also contributed indirectly to increase in productivity and long run economic growth through unpaid work, both at home raising children and in their communities. Women are not given greater economic opportunities. Women are regarded as not economically capable to produce goods. More so, they lack capital. This is evident in the men’s domination of virtually every sector of the country’s economy like the import and export, industrial, transport, agricultural and commercial sector. The effect is that women participation in public affairs is drastically reduced because they do not possesses the material base for political and socio-economic self-assertiveness6.
1.3 Different Aspect to Women Discrimination
1. Physiology
Women has been discriminated against because of their physical nature. They are regarded as been physically weaker than men, women’s destiny is said to be rooted in their physical nature or can be traced to biology. The characteristics of women is used against her for example in Oragite in Anambra state, where i come from, a woman is not allow to climb a pal or tree because of her bodily features or characteristics. Women’s physical nature makes them to look less perfect in the eyes of their male counter parts. According to Aristotle, he believed that women are colder than men and thus less perfect and therefore like infertile men. Women are regarded to be in virtue of a particular inability.
2) Psychology
Women are discriminated physiologically. The mental characteristics or attitude of a women is said to be irrational.
According to Aristotle; woman is more compassionate than man. More easily moved to tears, while at the same time being more jealous, more querulous, more apt to sold and to strike. She is more prone to despondency and less hopeful than the man, more void of shame or self-respect, more false of speech, more deceptive and more retentive memory7. Women are regarded as the non- thinking being
Chapter Four
Summary, Conclusion and Suggestion
4.1 Summary
Women empowerment is human right that lays at the heart of development and achievement of millennium development goals. Empowerment where it concerns women is the ability of women to control and direct – things which affects them. It is the act of giving women equal opportunity with their male counterpart.
Discrimination with their sociological terms of reference to the treatment taken towards or against persons of a certain group in consideration based solely on class or category. Discrimination is not a one side directed, but this work discussed discrimination as it affects women, women are discrimination as it affects women. Women are discrimination against cultural, religious, political, and economical. And this discrimination against women has effects on their psychologically. They are discriminated against because of their physical nature. And thus brings about the place of women in the society it is now known to as at the place of women in our society is cow compound to that of men. Our society today is till patriarch. According to Aristotle, males are by nature fatar in control than females. Equal power and opportunity is not given to women both in family, labour market, etc. this treatment brought above inequality between male and female, the implication of women’s discrimination on the wellbeing of the society is numerous.
Discrimination against women brought about lack of development in our society or full development of the potentials of women in the service of their countries and humanities. And this makes the society a one – sided view society, which is by all means inadequate for a comprehensive development. This makes poverty still abound.
There will be increase in growth in development in the society when women are empowered. Women empowerment will bring about full enjoyment of the rights of women and men and social progress and national development will no longer be a thing of history.
4.2 Conclusion
That there is discrimination against women in our society equal to say that there is only one man living on the earth. A closer scrutiny reveals the inequalities there indeed, various women’s groups have pushed for some advancement against all odds, but the struggle for full rights of women is still a mirage unless there is a conscious change in attitude! Women also cannot take then rightful place in the power structure of the society until the cultural attitude and socialization practice are overcome by women themselves.
Women still occupy a very insignificant socio – economic and political space, to reach all people, and change their orientation, the women have to be reached foremost. The empowerment of women is essentially an emancipation process. And the implication of the not empowering women in the political sector is obvious. The great contribution of women to the welfare of the family and to the development of the society, for far is not fully, recognize, and the role for women in procreation is one of the basis of their discrimination. Her status was subsequently very low compared with that of our society relegated women to the lower level of society.
4.3 Suggestions
The situation of women in our society calls for a change; this change has to begin in the family for a positive change in the society. According to Aristotle “he gave equal weight to women’s happiness as he did to men’s and commented in his rhetoric that a society cannot be happy unless women are happy too. In places such as of women Spata, where the lot of women is unhappy, there can only be half happiness in the society equal treatment of boys and girls in the family will not only bring peace and harmony but also help in achieving or increasing equality between men and women in the society.
Land, today is a useful asset in society, women should be at advantage with asset to land in order to have something for collateral to help them to succeed in establishing an economic base and in securing loans for business enterprises.
Effective management of homes promotes national development, but whenever this is lacking the country is usually the case. Women should be given adequate assess to resources and they will participate actively and effectively in the economic activities that yield dividend.
Education is the key to economic empowerment and national development. Education has also been identified as the panacea for women empowerment, be u – socially, politically or economically. Failure to invest in basic education is an obstacle to national progress and self determination the king of education can recommending is mass education for the total society, if the desired change and progress has to be released. Education will also bring a new realization to the men, many of whom have unjustifiably encourage and perpetuated these gender basis – where should be a basic functional education for the old and illiterate, both men and women. The mode of education that will be administered among different members of society is not traditional education, but education that liberates the mind and promotes moral consciousness and respect for human worth. This education would also given to women, who need to be educated on their rights and responsibilities to themselves and to their society.
Women should, as a matter of fact and necessities constitute a force significant enough to compel a change. There is the need to encourage young women to take on leadership roles in all areas of Endeavour, so they can learn to fail, pock themselves, up dust off their egos, and try again.4
Society need to re – orientate itself to have inclusive outlook, to sensitize the population on the need to accord respect towards one another where is the need therefore to create a new culture, a gender, – sensitive culture that would have an inclusive outlook and recognize the fundamental role of women in society.
If the above prescriptions are adopted and implemented positively by the society, then the situation for emancipation would be realized and women indeed utilize their newly found liberation in many ways, they would use land to put up houses to improve living standards, to generate income in various forms, to acquire loans for the improvement of land so as to produce more food and reduce starvation, thus ensuring security and the reduction of poverty, and to put up commercial buildings and create job opportunities. With the money accruing from investments, women would better their homes and society at large.
Certainly, ac change is not expected overnight, this will be a gradual. If it has to happen, it has to begin now and philosophers have a role to play in reaching out to people in the society and educating their minds positively.


The Complete Material Will Be Sent to You in Just 2 Steps
Quick & Simple…
![]()
Make Payment (Through Transfer) of ₦5,000 to the Account Below
![]() | Acc No: 0811003731 |
| Samphina Academy | |
| Current Account |
Or CLICK HERE To Pay With Debit Card
| FOR STUDENTS OUTSIDE NIGERIA | |
| CLICK HERE To Pay With Card ($15) | |
| FOR GHANA STUDENTS (GHS 100) | |
![]() | MTN MoMo |
| 0553978005 | |
| Douglas Osabutey | |
![]()
Send the Following Details on WhatsApp ( 07062590260 ) After Payment
- Payment Details
- TOPIC: Women Empowerment; A Philosophical Appraisal
The Complete Material Will Be Sent To You On WhatsApp After Receiving Your Details
T & C Apply
Students Review
List of Related Works
Prevention And Awareness Of Breast Cancer Among Market Women In Oru-Ijebu, Ogun State
The Legal Framework Of The Rights Of Women In The Workplace: A Nigerian Perspective
Gender Perspectives In Peace Building: Women Participation And Empowerment In Nigeria
Participatory Communication And Women Empowerment
Assessing The Challenges Of Entrepreneurship Development Among Women In Kebbi State
A Comparative Study Of Women’s Resilience In Bala’s Hafsatu Bebi And Agbaje’s The Parlour Wife
Microfinance And Economic Empowerment Of Women
The Impact Of Education On Women’s Political Participation In Oju Local Government, Benue State
Campaign For Women Empowerment In Nigeria: Strategies, Problems And Prospects
An Appraisal Of Women’s Empowerment And Gender Equality In Northern Nigeria (2013–2023)
The Role Of Christian Women In Curbing Moral Decadence Among The Youth
Glass Ceiling And It’s Implications On Women Economic Empowerment In Lagos State, Nigeria
Women And Local Government Development: A Case Study Of Epe Local Government Of Lagos State
The Role Of Women Empowerment And Its Impact On The Economic Growth Of The Country
Knowledge And Awareness Of Safe Motherhood Among Women Of Childbearing Age In Babcock University
Assessment Of Communication Methods Used In The Campaign For Women Empowerment Ideas In Imo State
The Role Of Women’s Organizations In Resolving Communal Conflicts
Co-Operative Aid To Women Empowerment (A Case Study Of Bende LGA)
Role Of Cooperative Societies In Women Empowerment And Rural Development
Impact Of Employees’ Empowerment On Organization Performance
Conflict And Empowerment In Selected Prose Of Wole Soyinka And Sembene Ousmane
Youth Empowerment: A Tool For Church Growth (A Case Study Of Central Calabar Presbytery)
Impact Of Secondary School Vocational Curriculum On Socio-Economic Empowerment Of Youths
Youth Employment, Empowerment And Poverty Alleviation
The Impact Of Small And Medium Scale Enterprise Development On Youth Empowerment In Nigeria
The Impact Of Small And Medium Scale Enterprises Development On Youth Empowerment In Nigeria
The Study On Skill Acquisition Programmes And Youth Empowerment
Women Empowerment In Nigerian Politics
An Empirical Examination Of The Effect Of Small And Medium Scale Development On Youth Empowerment
National Economic Empowerment And Development Strategy (NEEDS)


