Is women’s autonomy a protective or risk factor for spousal violence? Evidence from India

. N. Kavitha, Population Research Centre, The Gandhigram Institute of Rural Health And Family Welfare Trust
Francis Zavier AJ, Assistant Chief, Population Research Centre, GIRHFWT, Gandhigram, Dindigul

The relationship between women’s autonomy and spousal violence is complex. Evidence points to two main theories: women with autonomy are less likely to face violence, yet some studies show women with autonomy still experience violence. The pathways linking autonomy and violence remain unclear, highlighting a gap in the literature. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is very useful to fill this gap. Demographic and Health Survey 2019-21 for India is used for the analysis. In India, 29% of reproductive-age women have faced physical or sexual violence. The survey collected information on women’s autonomy such as decision-making power, non-justification of wife beating, and ownership of assets. The SEM shows that violence is lower among women who have not justified wife-beating (-0.22, p<=0.001), higher among women who have decision-making power (0.23, p<=0.001), and lower among women who have ownership of property (-0.05, p<=0.001) than their counterparts. Further, the reverse relationship showed that spousal violence is higher among women who own assets (0.04, p<=0.001) and lower among women who have decision-making autonomy (-0.77, p<=0.001) than other women after controlling for relevant background characteristics. Interventions should focus on life skills education for girls to prevent spousal violence.

Keywords: Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination, Structural equation modelling , Population Policies, Families, Unions and Households

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