empowerment

British  

/ ɪmˈpaʊəmənt /

noun

1. the giving or delegation of power or authority; authorization

2. the giving of an ability; enablement or permission

3. (in South Africa) a policy of providing special opportunities in employment, training, etc for Black people and others disadvantaged under apartheid

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Explanation

Empowerment is the power granted by one person or institution to another. The government can grant empowerment to a department to effect change, or a person can grant empowerment to her lawyer to sign contracts on her behalf. In the US of the 1950s and 60s, there were a number of groups that sought empowerment against oppression. Some of these included the Civil Rights Movement, led by a number of powerful members including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During this period, César Chávez worked for the rights of Latinos and farm workers. There were a number of other empowerment movements as well, each working to gain power for an oppressed group.

Related Words

• acceptance
• acknowledgment
• admission
• agreement
• approval
• concession
• dispensation
• endorsement
• license
• permit
• privilege
• recognition
• warrant