Empowerment as a resource: virtual communities and women's autonomy.

Abstract

The objective of this article is to examine the context of the historical development of women's empowerment and its impact on the struggle for gender equality. It provides a conceptual review of empowerment and alternative conceptions of power in relation to empowerment. It also addresses autonomy, participation, and equity in the construction of empowerment. It examines the importance of economic independence and virtual communities as spaces of empowerment for women. To analyze power as a resource in the context of empowerment, the author draws on data extracted from her previous research, entitled "Communicative Practices in Virtual Communities: Case Study of Women in Cuenca." In conclusion, empowerment is a dynamic process that allows individuals and groups to transform their realities through access to resources.

Keywords:

Female empowerment, Gender equality, Communication practices, Virtual communities.