Another assumption of the empowerment approach which attracts some criticism is
the assumption that the state, as a male-dominated institution, is not in a position to
promote gender equity. The empowerment approach criticizes the top-down
strategies of the state on the justifiable grounds that they try to integrate women into
the existing structures without touching the basic nature of these structures.
Therefore, the empowerment approach focuses on bottom-up strategies which can
be carried out without reliance on the state. For this reason, the empowerment
approach tends to ignore the state almost totally. In the whole concept of
empowerment, we do not find much discussion regarding what the role of the state
might be in women's empowerment. However, it is necessary to encourage direct
discussions regarding the role of the state in women’s empowerment process.
Because, despite all criticisms, the state has still a fundamental importance for the
process of empowerment:82).