Empowerment is the overarching idea used in this book. The term has a variety of meanings in different sociocultural and political contexts, including self-strength, control, self-power, self-reliance, own choice, life of dignity in accordance with one s values, capable of fighting for one s rights, independence, own decision making, being free, awakening, and capability (The World Bank, 2002, p. 10). However, the World Bank report observed that most definitions focus on issues of gaining power and control over decisions and resources that determine the quality of one s life (p. 10). This...