Philippine E-Journals

Women’s Empowerment: From Economic Survival to Empowered Agency through the Framework of Rowlands’ Empowerment Theory

Rosemarie Genorga | Guillermina C. Vizcarra

Discipline: social work

 

Abstract:

This study examined how Project BEST, a massage therapy skills-training program, contributed to the empowerment of women beneficiaries in Barangay Tatalon, Quezon City. Guided by Jo Rowlands' Empowerment Theory, the study focused on personal, relational, and collective dimensions of empowerment, particularly changes in economic opportunities, self-confidence, decision-making, and social participation. A qualitative descriptive design was employed using narrative data from five women beneficiaries who participated in the program. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions conducted in Filipino and English, audio-recorded with consent, transcribed verbatim, manually coded, and analyzed thematically. Findings revealed two major themes: economic empowerment and knowledge-based empowerment with confidence-building. Beneficiaries reported that massage-related employment and livelihood opportunities enabled them to contribute to household expenses, support their children's education, acquire assets, establish small businesses, and reduce economic dependence. Training also strengthened technical knowledge, health-related competencies, financial recording skills, self-confidence, communication abilities, and leadership capacities. Some beneficiaries progressed from trainees to managers or trainers and applied their knowledge to assist relatives, colleagues, and community members. Using Rowlands' framework, the strongest evidence of empowerment was observed in personal and relational power, while collective power remained less directly documented. The study concludes that skills-based livelihood interventions such as Project BEST can promote multidimensional women's empowerment by combining technical competence, economic opportunity, confidence, and practical agency. Further program development should strengthen collective action, peer networks, and sustained livelihood opportunities.