Perceptions on Determinants of Women's Empowerment in Bangladesh: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

The aim of this study is to ascertain the primary elements influencing women's views of empowerment by use of statistical analysis. 560 respondents in all were asked using standardised questionnaires covering sociodemographic factors, economic position, access to rights in healthcare, job, education, and decision-making as well as digital involvement. Although most women express empowerment in areas including healthcare access (90.9%), media freedom (91.8%), and social media use (90.0%), descriptive statistics suggest notable deficits in political activity (1.1%), leadership access (47.1%), and equal respect treatment (31.3%). Chi-square testing allowed one to investigate the relationships between perceived empowerment and categorical factors. Statistically significant correlations (p < 0.05) were revealed by the impression of equal respect, media consumption, voting freedom, urban living, and equal access to school and employment. Binary logistic regression analysis highly predicted perceived empowerment by urban residence (OR = 1.601, p = 0.042), equal respect treatment (OR = 2.51, p = 0.001), voting freedom (OR = 1.796, p = 0.016), and social media freedom (OR = 2.698, p = 0.013). The results underline the several aspects of empowerment shaped by psychological events as well as structural access. Apart from proving how well statistical modelling catches complex social interactions, this work offers proof to direct the creation of policies. Resource-based treatments and norm-changing strategies have to work together to provide inclusive and quantifiable empowerment.