Abstract:
This study uses data from the Pakistan Social and Living Standards
Measurement Survey for 2007/08 to conduct an empirical analysis of
the relationship between education, employment, and women’s say in
household decision-making in Pakistan. Using a linear probability
model with fixed effects, we analyze decisions pertaining to family
planning and to expenditure on food, clothing, medical costs, and
recreation. In order to address the reverse causality between
employment and empowerment, the study uses district cotton
production as an instrument for employment. We find that education
and employment have a significant effect on women’s say in certain—
though not all—household decisions. In most cases, employment in
nonagriculture increases women’s say as opposed to employment in
agriculture. However, employment tends to empower women mainly in
terms of expenditure-related decisions and not decisions pertaining to
family planning.
