Relationship between empowerment and wealth: trends and predictors in Kenya between 2003 and 2008-2009. Int J Public Health 2018 Jun;63(5):641-649
Date
11/22/2017Pubmed ID
29159537Pubmed Central ID
PMC5960602DOI
10.1007/s00038-017-1059-1Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85034585553 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 9 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the association between women's empowerment and wealth over time in Kenya.
METHODS: Kenya Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) for 2003 and 2008-2009 were used. Eligible women and men were either married or living with a partner. Two scales were used for empowerment: female participation in decision-making, and attitudes toward domestic violence against female partners. Hierarchical linear models were used based on theoretical blocks of covariates.
RESULTS: In a sample of 9847 women and 3207 men, results showed empowerment increased over time. After adjustment, female partners' reporting greater empowerment on either scale remained significantly associated with increased wealth, (urban: β = 0.04, p value < 0.05; β = - 0.06, p value < 0.01) and (rural: β = 0.04, p value < 0.01, β = - 0.07, p value < 0.01). Based on male partners' responses, female partners' participation in decision-making was associated with increased wealth in rural regions (β = 0.04, p value < 0.01), and agreement with domestic violence towards a female partner was significantly associated with a decrease in wealth in urban regions (β = - 0.08, p value < 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: Women's empowerment has increased over time in Kenya and is associated with increased family wealth. The association varies by gender of respondent and rural/urban residence.
Author List
Voronca D, Walker RJ, Egede LEAuthors
Leonard E. Egede MD Center Director, Chief, Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinRebekah Walker PhD Associate Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdult
Attitude
Decision Making
Domestic Violence
Female
Humans
Income
Kenya
Male
Middle Aged
Rural Population
Socioeconomic Factors
Young Adult
