A Model for Empowering Rural Women in Kermanshah County

In order to achieve development, the society needs to realize social justice and this will be possible in the shadow of women's empowerment. The study qualitative research was conducted with the aim of providing a model for empowering rural women in Kermanshah. The study population was experts in women's affairs in different departments as well as key informants who were selected by sequential sampling method and snowball technique. Data were collected using 16 in-depth and semi-structured interviews, and data were analyzed using directional content analysis. Findings showed that lack of priority for women in development and empowerment programs, lack of business conditions for rural women, diminishing work culture and participation in rural areas, and special conditions of rural women are among the factors that limit empowerment programs. Based on the findings, the goals of the optimal empowerment model should include: changes in women's attitudes and beliefs, attention to different dimensions of empowerment, increasing the role of agency in empowerment and improving the opportunity. To empowerment of women, actions such as identifying the current situation, targeted and continuous training, transformation in support actions, recreating the planning structure, increasing the role of actors and supporters in empowerment programs are essential. The consequences of women's empowerment programs are the re-creation of roles and responsibilities, the promotion of the social and economic status of rural women in society, and the transformation in the design and development of empowerment programs. The results of this study can be used by planners for planning to improve the status of women in rural communities.