A participatory research approach was used to determine the extent to which nonformal education (NFE) programs have contributed to the empowerment of women living on four Caribbean islands. Twelve agencies/organizations/providers on the islands of Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent that have offered NFE programs to women between 1992 and 1993 were surveyed along with 80 women who had participated in the NFE programs and facilitators/tutors from selected programs. It was discovered that, during the study period, the 12 agencies offered a variety of education and training programs for women. The programs ranged from broad-based public education efforts to programs (long/short courses and workshops) designed to teach specific job-related skills. Although all the program providers were attempting to meet women's educational, social, economic, and political needs, not all of them were consciously using their programs as a strategy to empower women. Several program participants did, however, credit NFE with making them more aware of women's situation and the factors responsible for it. It was concluded that, although many of the NFE programs studied did help participants achieve personal and, to a lesser extent, political empowerment, they have been unsuccessful in helping women achieve economic empowerment. (MN)