This study was carried out to analyze the empowerment of the women who are beneficiary from the Income Transference Program so-called "Programa Bolsa Família" under the social agents´ perception in the Social Assistance Reference Centers (Cras). So, a multiple-case study involving eleven managers from different Cras of the Minas Gerais State was conducted. From the content analysis technique, the answers to the questions composing the interviews were grouped according to the categories: BolsaFamília, Cras and Woman. The results point out the importance of the Cras for either execution of the "Programa Bolsa Família" and the empowerment process, since the acquaintanceship and participation in this location have contributed to the awareness of the rights for the social insertion and the improvement of the women's welfare. Those factors are evidenced through the women's interest for courses, workshops, information on the social programs and psychological attendance. On the agents' perception, it was possible to observe the improvement in life conditions, family relationships, awareness and self-esteem, therefore involving reflexes on the women's empowerment. Although being a slow and embryonic process, it can be said that the empowerment cycle of the women benefiting from the Programa Bolsa Família can be completed, since it reaches the three dimensions: individual, familiar and communitarian.
public policies; Programa Bolsa Família; empowerment; Social Assistance Reference Centers
