Women Participation in Household Decision-making: Implications for Women Empowerment

The paper has examined the role and participation of women of farm households in decision-making by conducting a survey in the Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh. It has examined the socio-economic factors that determine the participation of women in decision-making on household activities, money matters, agricultural-related matters and movement out of home. To analyse the decision-making power of women in the study area a Decision Making Index has been developed. The study has revealed a grim picture of women power as they do not enjoy autonomy in decision-making in the family despite their significant contributions to activities like livestock-bearing, farm operations, family maintenance. The study has made certain suggestions also for women empowerment like joint-ownership rights on landholding, skill building in farm operations, livestock-bearing and non-farm livelihoods.