Socio demographic determinants of women’s autonomy: a studyamong married employed women in two Northern Districts of Bangladesh

This study was set out to explore the socio-demographic factors affecting women’s autonomy in decision-making process among married employed women in two northern districts named Dinajpur and Thakurgaonof Bangladesh. Data was collected from 150 married employed women for sampling purposes using random sampling technique. The analysis revealed that, overall 24% of the employed women participated in all the three areas of decision-making (i.e. freedom of movement, decision-making regarding children, and HH task and decision making), 38% percent involved in any two areas of decision-making, 26% percent participated in at least one area of decision-making and rests (12%) were not participated in any areas of decision-making. Results also found that, 46.0% women had autonomy to make decision abouttheir movement, 67.3% women had autonomy to make decision regarding children take care and 63.3% women had autonomy to make decision about household task and decision. The study results showed that mainly age of women, occupation of women, women`s monthly income, age of husband, occupation of husband, husband`s monthly family expenditure from own income, and total monthly family expenditure are significantly associated with married employed women`s autonomy in decision-making process.