HOUSEHOLD DECISION MAKING

Decision making can be a complex process, and the ability of women to make decisions that affect their personal circumstances is an essential aspect of their empowerment. The role of women in decision making varies according to the type of decision.

When surveyed about participation in three types of household decisions: their own health care, making major household purchases, and visits to family or relatives, only 6 percent of currently married women make decisions themselves on their own health care, while three in five women report that their husbands mainly make such decisions. Sixty-two percent of women say that the husband is the main decision maker on large household purchases, while 32 percent say that they and their husband jointly make such decisions. Fifty-two percent of women report that decisions to visit family or relatives are made mainly by their husbands.

The states were ranked by the percentage of women who say that they have no say in any of the major decision making regarding the household.