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Measurement of Women’s Empowerment in Rural Bangladesh

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  • Mahmud, Simeen
  • Shah, Nirali M.
  • Becker, Stan

Abstract

Women’s empowerment is a dynamic process that has been quantified, measured, and described in a variety of ways. We measure empowerment in a sample of 3,500 rural women in 128 villages of Bangladesh with five indicators. A conceptual framework is presented, together with descriptive data on the indicators. Linear regressions to examine effects of covariates show that a woman’s exposure to television is a significant predictor of three of the five indicators. A woman’s years of schooling is significantly associated with one of two self-esteem indicators and with freedom of mobility. Household wealth has a significant and positive association with a woman’s resource control but a significant negative association with her total decision-making score.

Suggested Citation

  • Mahmud, Simeen & Shah, Nirali M. & Becker, Stan, 2012. "Measurement of Women’s Empowerment in Rural Bangladesh," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 40(3), pages 610-619.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:40:y:2012:i:3:p:610-619
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2011.08.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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