Effect of physical mobility, decision making and economic empowerment on gender-based violence among married youth in India-SAWERA project
Devika Mehra, September 15, 2022
Background Preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV) is both a
human rights imperative and
a multifaceted economic issue. GBV can also act as a barrier to economic empowerment. The aim of
the study was
to examine the association between women’s empowerment (physical mobility, decision making and
economic
resources) and GBV among married youth in India.
Methods Community based cross-sectional study was conducted among married youth in
the age group of
15–24 years, in two selected districts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, India. The data was
collected from 578 youth.
Pre-validated scales were used to assess women’s empowerment indicators (physical mobility,
decision making and
economic resources). The outcomes assessed were scales on physical and sexual violence.
Multivariate regression
models examined associations between women’s empowerment, spousal characteristics, socio-economic
status and
demographics.
Results The overall results of the study found that restricted physical mobility
had a negative association with sexual
violence [AOR: 0.49; CI 0.26–0.92]. Women with no decision-making power had higher odds of physical
violence
[AOR: 2.12; CI 0.01–4.43] and sexual violence [AOR: 1.96; CI 1.02–3.77]. Having no economic
resources had a negative
association with sexual violence [AOR: 0.19; CI 0.09–0.39]. Women going through spousal controlling
behavior had a
higher likelihood of physical [AOR: 3.79; CI 1.75–8.19] and sexual violence [AOR: 4.03; CI
2.09–7.79]. It was also found
that married women from rural areas and other ethnic backgrounds had higher odds of physical
violence.
Conclusion There is a crucial need to work towards women’s empowerment, with
progressive gender roles such as
greater decision-making, physical mobility and economic resources to reduce GBV. An established
method that has
worked in various contexts is adopting gender transformative approaches that involve men.
Keywords Sexual violence, Physical violence, Women’s empowerment, Youth