Psychological empowerment (PE) is presumed to be a second-order latent construct composed of four dimensions: meaning, competence, self-determination, and impact. Based on the results of two validation studies, it has been hypothesized that loadings of the four dimensions on PE could vary across gender groups. A multiple-group second-order…

This paper reports on the Reading Kiosks English literacy project carried out in Opa-settlement, Ile-Ife in Nigeria. In all, 46 girls between the ages of 7 and 22 years took part in activities such as journal writing, shared reading, uninterrupted sustained silent reading, world literacy day celebration, story telling, retelling and writing, a…

This paper is located in a larger study of girls' empowerment within the everyday context of school cultures. While much feminist research has focused on the "perils" of feminine adolescence, we are interested in how girls successfully navigate the transition from girlhood to adult womanhood. Thus the sample for this paper includes girls who…

This article presents the results of a study that investigated the level of assets and debts that female-headed households have in comparison to those of married-couple households and other types of households. The empirical results revealed that the amounts of net worth of married-couple households and male-headed households were significantly…

This paper introduces the reader to microfinance integrated with health and nutrition education as a promising strategy for Title II practitioners. The paper provides an overview of how microfinance, particularly village banking, can contribute to the food-security objectives of Title II. It describes a variant of village banking, called…

"Credit with Education" is a way to provide self-financing microfinance (or small-scale banking) to women, primarily in very poor rural areas, while at the same time providing education for business and family survival. Within the village banking environment, attempts to integrate education with village bank meetings have fallen into two…

For the middle school-aged female athlete, self-esteem, empowerment, and self-confidence are often bolstered through participation in interscholastic competitive sports. These traits are also traits of leadership. This digest discusses how many contributing factors and people mold the student athlete into a leader but the process must be…

Describes an introductory horizontal caving experience for college-age women who were uncomfortable with their bodies, insecure with movement, and unwilling to take big risks. The darkness and quiet of the cave released inhibitions and promoted group cohesion, feelings of intimacy and safety, self-discovery, and self-confidence. (SV)

In order for women to protect themselves from AIDS, they must be empowered with a sense of self-worth and negotiating skills to practice safe sex. Advocates for women's health care should promote empowerment as an important prevention strategy. (SK)

Examines incongruencies among the career behaviors, aspirations, and expectations of young black females in relation to the realities of the U.S. occupational structure. Recommendations are provided for personal and structural changes to facilitate the empowerment and success of tomorrow's young black working women. (GR)

The Grassroots Gender Empowerment Movement in Sierra Leone is a gender-focused program of small enterprise development and revolving loans that has brought a degree of economic independence, community development, gender awareness, improved living conditions, and empowerment to the women involved. (JOW)

Marks on Paper, a type of popular theater developed in British Columbia, helps literacy learners change personal beliefs about themselves, generates a sense of belonging, helps them break out of isolation, and transforms them through empowerment and action. (SK)

Describes University of Richmond and Westhampton College, which function in coordinate college model, defending this hybrid. Describes how two cooperating single-sex colleges share joint, common curriculum but maintain somewhat separate identities, as with different faculties, residence halls, student governments, and college traditions. Describes…

A survey of 100 women and 14 literacy teachers/administrators in Tanzania suggests that literacy is considered an abstract value and not a tool for women's empowerment. Women's desire to learn is often frustrated by program content that does not reflect political, social, cultural, and economic realities. (SK)

Little attention has been paid to the life-career development of rural adolescents. The aim of this project is to explore the hopes, beliefs, and fears of eight young women and aspects of their rural environment that act to constrain or enhance their options. Participants constructed life-space maps, possible selves, and photographic displays…