The notion of female empowerment is a complicated one, as the term does not have a unique and univocal meaning. Rather, it appears as a broad, unspecific and polysemic concept. In 1991, Schuler and Hashemi defined it as «the process whereby women increase their ability to establish their own lives and environments; an evolution in women’s awareness of themselves, of their status and their effectiveness in social interactions».

In this issue, we address, from a legal and pedagogical perspective, the potential for emancipation that women acquire throughout their lives. Additionally, we deal with how health care can contribute to said emancipation by respecting their informed choices and by giving support to those women that suffer violence.