Examining the correlates of gender equality and the empowerment of married women in Zambia

• Published in: African geographical review Vol. 33; no. 1; pp. 1 - 18
• Main Authors: Boateng, Godfred Odei, Mumba, Daniel, Asare-Bediako, Yvonne, Boateng, Mavis Odei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge 02.01.2014
• Subjects: empowerment; gender equality; household; women; Zambia
• ISSN: 1937-6812; 2163-2642
• DOI: 10.1080/19376812.2013.814188

This paper is an analysis of the factors that predict the involvement of women in decision-making within households in Zambia. It is a study at the micro-level of some of the indicators used in calculating the Gender Status Index, which reflects women empowerment and gender equality. Using the 2007 Zambia Demographic Health Survey and complementary log-log models, the study investigates the determinants of women empowerment and gender equality. At the multivariate level, wealth, education, and employment significantly influence women's involvement in household decision-making. Older women were however, more likely to be involved in decision-making concerning daily household purchases. Interestingly, married women from the Northwestern and Western parts of the country were more likely to engage in a patriarchal bargain and negotiate spaces of power and decision-making than those from the Lusaka province - the capital. These findings will be beneficial for programme and policy formulation with regard to women empowerment and gender equality in Zambia. Women's involvement in decision-making with their partners and within the household will spill over into their integration and representation on civil-political platforms, with a potential to increase productivity and improve development outcomes in context.