From mud to shampoo : conversions and empowerment among Santali women in India

Abstract: The aim of this thesis is to study personal empowerment processes and theinfluence religion have in such processes. The theory of Naila Kabeer,Srilatha Baltiwala and Sara Mosedale has mainly been used as thetheoretical framework in this thesis. In order to study the influence ofreligion i.e. conversion to Christianity in personal empowerment processesfive Santali women in India have been interviewed. The interviews weredone through WhatsApp with the help of a translator. The results of thisthesis have shown that religion influence women’s personalempowerment. In the sense that religion contribute to important changesin lifestyle, self-esteem and self-confidence.