By empowerment we mean the expansion of people’s capabilities, their access to opportunities, and their freedom to choose. It is the ability of every person to realise their full human potential. It means better health for every family and proper schooling for every child. It means having access to productive resources and well-functioning markets, as well as secure and transferrable rights over their property. It means the opportunity to earn a decent livelihood to care for one’s family, and to live the kind of life they value – with dignity and respect. It means creating a more equal society by caring and providing for those most in need with effective safety nets to ease their burden and soothe their suffering.