Association Between Women’s Empowerment and Unmet Family Planning Needs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries in Southeast Asia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

This study examined the associations between women’s empowerment and unmet family planning needs in five low- and middle- income countries in Southeast Asia using demographic and health survey data. The sample of ever-married women aged 15 to 49 years across five Southeast Asian countries (Cambodia [n = 10,231], Indonesia [n = 30,965], Myanmar [n = 6,644], the Philippines [n = 13,512], and Timor-Leste [n = 5,750]) were included in this study. We conducted a multiple logistic regression to analyze the associations between the four women’s empowerment indicators and unmet needs. The findings showed positive associations between women’s medium level of agreement to wife-beating, women’s decision-making, level of knowledge, and unmet needs. Both negative and positive associations were reported for labor force participation and unmet needs. Finally, improving women’s decision-making and workplace conditions and encouraging women’s labor force participation can reduce unmet needs for family planning.