Women's Empowerment in India: Measurement, Regional Disparities, and the Threat of Intimate Partner Violence

This study examines women's empowerment in India using a multidimensional disempowerment index constructed from National Family Health Survey unit-level data. Focusing on decision-making, mobility, and awareness, it highlights significant regional disparities and explores the association between intimate partner violence (IPV) and disempowerment. While overall disempowerment declined over time, women facing IPV, especially in central and eastern regions, remain disproportionately affected. The findings emphasize that regional context and IPV are critical factors influencing empowerment. Efforts focused solely on education and employment may fall short unless IPV is addressed, underscoring the need for region-sensitive, violence-informed policy interventions.