SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW OF EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS FOR ALLEVIATING RURAL WOMEN'S POVERTY

Povzetek

This research examines the challenges, success factors, and impact of women's empowerment programs in rural Asia through a systematic literature review (SLR) approach using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework. After a screening process, we selected 16 articles from the 135 identified. Findings show that women's agency is often limited by patriarchal norms and gender power relations, which hinder their decision-making power and mobility, especially in rural areas. Both tangible and intangible resources, such as financial capital, education, and social networks, play an important role in determining program success, but their distribution is often uneven and influenced by women's level of education and social capital. Capabilities, which are the result of interactions between agency and resources, influence the extent to which women can achieve their goals and improve their quality of life. Successful programs, as identified in the case studies, effectively integrate these three elements to improve women's economic status and social participation. However, the broader socio-cultural context often mediates program impacts, potentially limiting program benefits due to deep gender inequalities. In conclusion, empowering women in rural Asia through self-help groups requires a holistic approach that addresses women's overall economic and social needs to achieve sustainable outcomes and social justice.