Determinants of woman's decision-making power in the household: evidence in Benin in Ivory Coast and in Niger

Abstract

This paper analyzes the determinants of women's decision-making power in West Africa. The data used come from the Demographic Health Surveys (DHS IV) database of three West African countries, namely Benin, Niger and Ivory Coast. A Logit model was used to be able to analyze the determinants of women's decision-making power. The descriptive analysis of DHS data shows us that 64% of women in Benin, 38% in Ivory Coast and 21% in Niger have the last word on their health care. 58% in Benin, 35% in Ivory Coast and 20% in Niger have the power to decide on major purchases for household. Econometric analysis reveals that the age of woman, level of education, place of residence, woman's employment status, ethnicity, religion and type of union positively influence the power of decision-making process. Policies for women empowerment must take into account parents who constitute barriers to improving the decision-making power of women.