Factors Affecting Decision-Making Capacity of Women: A Survey
Abstract
This research paper examines the factors influencing women's decision-making capacity in a contemporary context, focusing on socio-economic, cultural, and psychological factors. The study highlights the multifaceted nature of women's empowerment and the persistent challenges that hinder their full participation in decision-making processes. Key factors include education, employment, income, gender roles, cultural norms, family structure, psychological factors like self-confidence, risk aversion, and mental health, political and legal factors like legal rights, political participation, access to information, and healthcare. These factors interact in complex ways to shape women's decision-making capacity in various domains, including household decisions, healthcare decisions, education decisions, career decisions, and social and political decisions. The study employs a quantitative research design using a self-administered survey, with a convenience sample of 50 women aged 18-50 years from Silvassa, U.T. of DNH. The data collected is analysed using percentages. The findings highlight the need for more inclusive and equitable decision-making processes for women to enhance their agency and make informed choices.
References
Malhotra A, Schuler SR, Boender C. Measuring women’s empowerment as a variable in international development. Inbackground paper prepared for the World Bank Workshop on Poverty and Gender: New Perspectives 2002 Jun 28 (Vol. 28, p. 58). Washington, DC: The World Bank.
Jejeebhoy SJ. Women’s autonomy in rural India: Its dimensions, determinants, and the influence of context. Women’s empowerment and demographic processes. 2000 Aug 31:204-38.
Hofstede G. Culture's consequences: Comparing values, behaviors, institutions and organizations across nations. Sage publications; 2001 Apr 20.
Ibarra H. Paving an alternative route: Gender differences in managerial networks. Social psychology quarterly. 1997 Mar 1:91-102.
Jejeebhoy SJ. Women’s autonomy in rural India: Its dimensions, determinants, and the influence of context. Women’s empowerment and demographic processes. 2000 Aug 31:204-38.
Kabeer N. Resources, agency, achievements: Reflections on the measurement of women's empowerment. Development and change. 1999 Jul;30(3):435-64.
Kochan, T., Bezrukova, K., Ely, R., Jackson, S., Joshi, A., Jehn, K., Leonard, J., Levine, D. and Thomas, D., 2003. The effects of diversity on business performance: Report of the diversity research network. Human Resource Management: Published in Cooperation with the School of Business Administration, The University of Michigan and in alliance with the Society of Human Resources Management, 42(1), pp.3-21.
Hora EA. Factors that affect women participation in leadership and decision making position. Asian Journal of Humanity, Art and Literature. 2014 Aug 30;1(2).
Ndemo B, Wanjiku Maina F. Women entrepreneurs and strategic decision making. Management Decision. 2007 Feb 13;45(1):118-30.
Ademe G, Singh M. Factors affecting women’s participation in leadership and management in selected public higher education institutions in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. European Journal of Business and Management. 2015;7(31):18-29.
