Empowering Local Women Through Mapping Social Enterprise Strategies

This group of presenters, sponsored by the Shih-Suel Social Services Association, bridged academic and local social work perspectives on women’s economic empowerment in Taiwan.  This interesting session brought academic research into the framework of local NGO empowerment initiatives to demonstrate a broad picture of women’s empowerment.  Graduate students presented on the role CEDAW (The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women) in Taiwan and how it has changed gender equity and women’s empowerment for indigenous women.  This was then linked to local organizations’ initiatives in women’s empowerment and domestic violence. This was highlighted by a framework of research, with a bridge of government and private support, in which local organizations provide a platform for empowerment in local communities. 

            To exemplify these interconnections, two organizations were highlighted.  One which promoted economic empowerment through handicrafts and another which supported victims of domestic abuse through a framework of economic, marketing and family empowerment.  The idea touted was that the empowerment of women lies in empowerment within their lived communities.  What was particularly interesting was to have a perspective of women’s economic empowerment through the eyes of a social worker and a woman from an indigenous community in Taiwan.  Often in the world of academia we learn of these experiences through publications and are exposed only to the knowledge of research and the academic world.  To be presented with a perspective of how women’s empowerment developed from someone without direct ties to academia was refreshing.  Yet to have it framed within academic perspectives of empowerment gave the presentation a powerful focus. 

            This presentation made it clear the myriad of work being done at local levels for the economic empowerment of women.  The countless women who work to empower themselves and others was one of the highlights of the session and the CSW61 overall.  The women who put their hearts and souls into this work is inspiring and impressive.