Women now have more say in money matters, 38 per cent own house or land: Survey
NEW DELHI: India has witnessed an impressive jump in financial inclusion of women, with 53 per cent of the female population now having bank accounts as compared to a mere 15 per cent a decade ago, according to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS).
The study made public on Tuesday reveals a heartening increase in the number of women operating their savings bank accounts, owning houses and participating in decision-making in households as well as well as opting for antenatal check-ups and hygienic methods for protection during a menstrual period. The data also show that violence against married women has come down. The percentage of women facing marital violence has dropped from 37.2 per cent to 28.8 per cent.
The survey also shows only 3.3 per cent such women faced violence during pregnancy. This indicator seems to reflect a better awareness of their rights and improved social standing.
The 38 per cent jump in women with bank accounts is complemented by the survey finding that 84 per cent married women in the age of 15-49 years are increasingly participating in decision-making as compared to 76 per cent in the third round of NFHS conducted in 2005-06. The data also show 38.4 per cent of women own a house and or land — alone or jointly with others.
Not surprisingly, improvements in banking and an enhanced role in the household are accompanied by an increase in the female literacy rate that has gone up to 68.4 per cent as compared with 55.1 per cent in the previous survey. The female literacy rate, however, continues to lag men who have a literacy rate of 85.6 per cent. Women with more than 10 years of schooling also grew from 22.3 per cent to 35.7 per cent between NFHS3 and NFHS4.
The study made public on Tuesday reveals a heartening increase in the number of women operating their savings bank accounts, owning houses and participating in decision-making in households as well as well as opting for antenatal check-ups and hygienic methods for protection during a menstrual period. The data also show that violence against married women has come down. The percentage of women facing marital violence has dropped from 37.2 per cent to 28.8 per cent.
The survey also shows only 3.3 per cent such women faced violence during pregnancy. This indicator seems to reflect a better awareness of their rights and improved social standing.
The 38 per cent jump in women with bank accounts is complemented by the survey finding that 84 per cent married women in the age of 15-49 years are increasingly participating in decision-making as compared to 76 per cent in the third round of NFHS conducted in 2005-06. The data also show 38.4 per cent of women own a house and or land — alone or jointly with others.
Not surprisingly, improvements in banking and an enhanced role in the household are accompanied by an increase in the female literacy rate that has gone up to 68.4 per cent as compared with 55.1 per cent in the previous survey. The female literacy rate, however, continues to lag men who have a literacy rate of 85.6 per cent. Women with more than 10 years of schooling also grew from 22.3 per cent to 35.7 per cent between NFHS3 and NFHS4.
