Factors Associated with Women's Autonomy (Decision Making) in Nepal: A Research Carried Out from Nepal Demographic and Health Surveys Data 2011

The hill and the mountain region’s women are relatively more influential in decision making than the Terai region’s women. Spousal education and employment in modern sector occupations is also likely to be associated with higher Decision Making. Larger the spousal gaps in age, education and occupation, lower the influence in Decision Making. Lower age at first marriage and the short first birth interval may hamper education, career opportunities, and finally lower the influence in Decision Making. The cultural taboos will have negative effect on women’s opportunities for job, their exposure to outside world and their Decision Making etc. The extent of female participation in workforce is a crucial factor for influencing social and economic Decision Making.