An empirical study on factors affecting women's decision-making power within households in Bangladesh

Abstract

The study represents the decision-making status of selected women within the households in Bangladesh who rear small ruminants. A total of 320 women-led small ruminant rearers were selected for this study from four districts in Bangladesh using multi-stage random sampling technique. The results represented that most of the women (63%) are middle aged (21-40 age group) and primary level educated. Majority of households earn in between Tk. 8000 to Tk.18000 monthly. The findings of the study also revealed that women participated moderately in different activities in their households. Multiple linear regression analysis shows that decision-making power in households is positively correlated with an increase in income, education, credit and training of the respondent, and the relationships are highly significant (P<0.01). The study concluded that more participation of women in decision-making process within family eventually empowered them in their family which in turn can further assist the society and for the country.