Students in this course will learn how the study of women's empowerment in low and middle income countries (LMICs) has developed, its current state of measurement, and new avenues to pursue in the future. Examining the extensive research on gender-based inequalities in educational attainment, employment rates, and health status, students will investigate how power imbalances across individuals, households, and institutional factors result in persistent inequality. Bringing an intersectional perspective to the forefront of the course, we will study how to design effective intervention policies that seek to improve the daily lives of women, girls and their families.