Factors Influencing Women’s Decision-Making Authority and Autonomy in Rural Rajasthan

Abstract

Gender equality is a concern for achieving universal health coverage, peace, prosperous and sustainable
world. The article attempts to understand women’s autonomy and its dynamics and associated elements
contribute to decision making for three districts of Rajasthan. Bivariate analysis and multinomial regression
analysis suggest that decision making for preparation of food was different for the joint and nuclear family,
for purchasing household assets joint decisions were taken by husband and wife. Variables namely marital
duration, educational level, media exposure, religion, and standard of living index were significantly
associated at with decision making whereas marital duration, educational level, caste, religion and exposure
to media found statistically significant with autonomy. The multinomial regression analysis shows that the
probability of such an occurrence was 15.5 percent. Policymakers and practitioners must consider two factors
i.e., decision-making capability of women and their autonomy, while designing the policy and intervention
plan.