Magnitude and Factors Affecting Women’s Economic Empowerment for Participation in Decision making among Married Women at Reproductive Age in Assosa, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Background & aim: Women’s economic empowerment for participation in decision making is the process of achieving women’s equal access and control over economic resources and prerequisite for the Sustainable Development Goals and pro-poor growth. Women’s economic empowerment is about rights and equitable societies and requires sound public policies. The present study aimed to determine the magnitude and factors affecting women’s economic empowerment for participation in decision making among married women at reproductive age in Assosa, western Ethiopia. Methods: This community-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 342 women at reproductive age in Assosa using simple random sampling. Structured interview questionnaire that was reviewed and adapted from different literature was used to collect data from the respondents. Descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation were used to analyze the data. Multivariate logistic regression was carried out to determine the independent predictor variables. Results: The magnitude of women’s economic empowerment for decision-making was 39.9%. Moreover, media exposure (AOR=14.90), experience of husband-wife discussion (AOR=4.90), women's attitude toward wife beating (AOR=8.33) and knowledge of family planning practice (AOR=1.00) were more likely associated factors influencing women’s economic empowerment for participation in decision making. Conclusion: Media exposure at least one times per day, husband-wife discussion on participation in decision making, women's attitude towards wife beating, and knowledge of family planning practice were the independent predictors of women’s economic empowerment for participation in decision making. Thus policy related strategies should be designed to reach these special populations to promote Women’s Economic Empowerment for Participation in Decision making.