Measuring changes in women’s empowerment and its relationship to intimate partner violence

Prior analyses suggest that women’s empowerment may be associated with an increase in intimate partner violence. This article discusses the methodological limitations posed by shifting empowerment and its social meanings within and across settings. It finds that, as women’s empowerment becomes more common, the association reverses. The authors suggest that interventions that increase women’s empowerment should include working with men and community groups to view empowered women as normal and to mitigate intimate partner violence.