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More married women now have say on how husbands' salaries are spent
The latest data shows that 79.1 percent of women in unions decide alone or with their partners about large household purchases, up from 71.2 percent of them in 2014.
More married women are now having a say on how earnings by their husbands are spent, a new survey has revealed.
A report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) on women empowerment over the past decade shows the proportion of women deciding where or how their husbands’ incomes should be spent has risen from 55.5 percent to 58.9 percent since 2014.
KNBS extrapolated data from the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) and compared it with the 2014 KDHS. The KDHS is a nationwide survey that provides data on population and health indicators in Kenya.
“Woman decides alone or with partner about where/how husband's earnings will be spent; DHS 2014 - 55.5 percent (and) DHS 2022 - 58.9 percent,” the KNBS reported stated.
Some 18,312 women and girls aged 15 to 49, who were living with husbands/partners, were interviewed in the 2022 KDHS. Another 13,844 females of the age group, but not in union, were also interviewed.
The report tracked the trend in household decision-making across several areas, including major decisions such as making large household purchases, where the contribution of women has improved.
The latest data shows that 79.1 percent of women in unions decide alone or with their partners about large household purchases, up from 71.2 percent of them in 2014.
This, however, is even as men continue being major players in making the decision.
“Men are more likely to decide on major household purchases at 86.9 percent compared to 78.2 percent for women,” the report said on the overall (married and unmarried).
Overall, married men and women participate in decision-making regarding their own earnings, with 95.6 percent of women and 92.5 percent of men reporting having participated.
The report notes that Kenyan women have gained greater control over their lives, which has helped improve their own well-being and strengthen their families.
It, however, notes that gender inequality remains a concern in rural areas and among vulnerable groups.
“Through this lens, empowered women tend to have healthier, better educated children, reinforcing the link between a woman’s empowerment and the well-being of the next generation,” the report says.
It recommended improvement of access to education, especially for girls and young women in rural areas, promoting digital literacy and access to technology, and ensuring that women have a stronger voice in household and community decision-making, for greater empowerment.
