What determines the Female Autonomy in Households: Evidence from Haryana

Abstract

This study investigates the factors influencing women's financial, social and health autonomy in urban
and rural areas of Haryana, India. Using a multistage random sampling technique, data were collected
from 480 married women (240 urban, 240 rural) through a pre-made interview schedule. The Chi-square
and Kruskal–Wallis H tests were employed to analyze the association between socio-demographic
variables (age, education, working status, caste, etc.) and various autonomy indicators. The findings
reveal significant rural-urban disparities in the determinants of women's autonomy.
In urban areas, women's autonomy is predominantly shaped by age, caste, marital status and
occupational roles, with a strong association between working status and financial autonomy,
particularly in banking and everyday spending. In contrast, in rural areas, education, family type and
property ownership are more powerful drivers of empowerment. Despite these differences, economic
factors consistently emerge as the most significant determinants of autonomy in both settings. Control
over earnings, freedom to spend money and property ownership were strongly linked to increased
autonomy across all domains—financial, social and health. The study also found that while financial
inclusion (e.g., bank account ownership) alone is not enough, the actual control and operation of these
accounts are crucial for empowerment. Overall, the research highlights that while the pathways to
autonomy differ by location, material resources and economic agency are universally central to women's
empowerment.