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Measuring women's empowerment in developing countries: A systematic review

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  • Shamsun Nahar
  • Cecilia W. Mengo

Abstract

Measurement of women's empowerment has grown over the last few decades, but major challenges still exist for measuring progress in dimensions based on different situational and cultural contexts. This study used a systematic review method to identify quantitative literature related to measures of women's empowerment in developing countries. Features of 17 studies were summarized and compared applying bivariate and text analysis. The most applied dimensions of women's empowerment were household decision making, financial and economic decision making, freedom of movement, self‐esteem, and sexual and reproductive decision making. The results of the study contribute to expanding indicators of women's empowerment in developing countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Shamsun Nahar & Cecilia W. Mengo, 2022. "Measuring women's empowerment in developing countries: A systematic review," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(2), pages 322-333, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:34:y:2022:i:2:p:322-333
    DOI: 10.1002/jid.3594
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Raj, Anita & Dey, Arnab & Rao, Namratha & Yore, Jennifer & McDougal, Lotus & Bhan, Nandita & Silverman, Jay G. & Hay, Katherine & Thomas, Edwin E. & Fotso, Jean Christophe & Lundgren, Rebecka, 2024. "The EMERGE framework to measure empowerment for health and development," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 351(S1).

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