This paper
presents the process of empowerment that occurred in these mothers Four
components of the process of empowerment emerged discovering reality,
critical reflection, taking charge, and holding on As a result of the study,
empowerment was reconceptualized as largely a personal process m which
individuals developed and employed the necessary knowledge, competence
and confidence for making their voices heard Participatory competence — the
ability to be heard by those m power — was the outcome of this process
Although the unique finding m this study suggests that the process of
empowerment was largely mtrapersonal, there was a relational element in the
process Clearly, the mtrapersonal and interpersonal processes of empowerment
are intertwined