Empowerment of Women: A Critical Bibleometric Analysis in International Scenario towards Economic Developmenmt

Abstract

Gender equality and sustainability require women's empowerment. Government institutions, NGOs, and international organizations have empowered women over time. Despite improvements, women still struggle with education, healthcare, income, and political representation. This Scopus-based report examines women's empowerment research. 476 2004–2023 studies were bibliometrically analyzed using VOSviewer software.The survey found that women's empowerment encompasses economic, political, social, and legal dimensions. Economic empowerment—women's access to resources, jobs, and entrepreneurship—has been the most studied topic. Political empowerment has gotten less emphasis than women's participation in decision-making and political institutions.The data also demonstrated a regional imbalance in women's empowerment studies. North America and Europe dominated the studies, whereas Africa and Asia were underrepresented. Researchers have used feminist, capacity, and social exchange theories to investigate women's empowerment.The study suggests greater research on women's empowerment, notably in political involvement, social empowerment, and legal empowerment. More studies in underrepresented locations are needed to understand how context affects women's empowerment. Policymakers and development practitioners must consider this study's evidence-based recommendations to empower women worldwide.