AN ANALYSIS OF DECISION – MAKING POWER AMONG MARRIED WOMEN IN HOUSEHOLD AFFAIRS: A CASE STUDY OF SUALKUCHI ; KAMRUP : ASSAM

Abstract

Decision making process is mainly influenced by the level of knowledge. Women are becoming more autonomous due to enhancement in their education, exposure towards media, awareness , strong understanding with their husband, freedom of movements to some extent. This study aims at understanding the impact of women’s autonomy and to analyse the Decision- Making Power among married women of Sualkuchi Block of Kamrup District ( Assam). The study revealed an increasing number of cases where the role of women in the family in decision making is primary or at least shared equally with men. In the study 20 questions related to family affairs were listed in the questionnaire to collect data concerning the extent of involvement of women in decision making process. The involvement of women in decision making was determined on the basis of degree of consultation of husband with their spouses in respect of various family affairs. It is observed that a small portion of the respondent (12.4%) yet believe in dominant role of husbands in making important decisions in family affairs. On the other hand a majority of the respondents (63.5%) answered that their husbands consult with them in taking important decisions in any family matter. Again 54.1% women are consulted by their husbands, some times in family affairs.