Feedback and Trigger of Household Decision-Making to Ecological Protection Policies in Sanjiangyuan National Park

Ignoring the responses of local households to ecological protection policies can not only seriously limit sustainable development of the alpine grassland ecosystem, but also not improve livelihood on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). It is of vital importance to clearly understand coupling feedback and trigger between household decision-making of local herdsmen with the implementation of ecological protection policies. We selected Sanjiangyuan National Park (SNP) as the study area which was in the hinterland of the QTP and the first national park in China. We used the global rangeland (G-Range) model to simulate alpine grassland changes and DEcisions under Conditions of Uncertainty by Modeled Agents (DECUMA) model to identify household decision-making of local herdsmen. Results showed that: (1) distribution of livestock density was basically consistent with the distribution of habitat suitability of local households in the SNP; (2) more than half of the uneducated households (52 and 70%) opposed the eco-compensation and eco-migration policies; (3) most of the households (53.7%) never traded livestock for maintaining their livelihood; and (4) When local households owed 65,000 yuan (≈10,000 dollars) in debts, as the critical value (trigger), they traded livestock to support their livelihood. We suggest that feedback and trigger of household decision-making should be fully considered by managers of national park and policymakers of local governments in planning ecological protection policies to maintain sustainable development of alpine grassland, which is of practical significance to long-term conservation and sustainable utilization of natural resources in the SNP.

Do empowered women receive better quality antenatal care in Pakistan? An analysis of demographic and health survey data

Introduction Quality antenatal care is a window of opportunity for improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. Numerous studies have shown a positive effect of women empowerment on improved coverage of maternal and reproductive health services, including antenatal care (ANC). However, there is scarce evidence on the association between women’s empowerment and improved ANC services both in terms of coverage and quality. Addressing this gap, this paper examines the relationship between multi-dimensional measures of women empowerment on utilization of quality ANC (service coverage and consultation) in Pakistan. Methods We used Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017–18 (PDHS) data which comprises of 6,602 currently married women aged between 15–49 years who had a live birth in the past five years preceding the survey. Our exposure variables were three-dimensional measures of women empowerment (social independence, decision making, and attitude towards domestic violence), and our outcome variables were quality of antenatal coverage [i.e. a composite binary measure based on skilled ANC (trained professional), timeliness (1st ANC visit during first trimester), sufficiency of ANC visits (4 or more)] and quality of ANC consultation (i.e. receiving at least 7 or more essential antenatal components out of 8). Data were analysed in Stata 16.0 software. Descriptive statistics were used to describe sample characteristics and binary logistic regression was employed to assess the association between empowerment and quality of antenatal care. Results We found that 41.4% of the women received quality ANC coverage and 30.6% received quality ANC consultations during pregnancy. After controlling for a number of socio-economic and demographic factors, all three measures of women’s empowerment independently showed a positive relationship with both outcomes. Women with high autonomy (i.e. strongly opposed the notion of violence) in the domain of attitude to violence are 1.66 (95% CI 1.30–2.10) and 1.45 (95% CI 1.19–1.75) and times more likely to receive antenatal coverage and quality ANC consultations respectively, compared with women who ranked low on attitude to violence. Women who enjoy high social independence had 1.87 (95% CI 1.44–2.43) and 2.78 (95% CI 2.04–3.79) higher odds of quality antenatal coverage and consultations respectively, as compared with their counterparts. Similarly, women who had high autonomy in household decision making 1.98 (95% CI 1.60–2.44) and 1.56 (95% CI 2.17–1.91) were more likely to receive quality antenatal coverage and consultation respectively, as compared to women who possess low autonomy in household decision making. Conclusion The quality of ANC coverage and consultation with service provider is considerably low in Pakistan. Women’s empowerment related to social independence, gendered beliefs about violence, and decision-making have an independent positive association with the utilisation of quality antenatal care. Thus, efforts directed towards empowering women could be an effective strategy to improve utilisation of quality antenatal care in Pakistan.

Gender Differences in Intra-Household Financial Decision-Making: An Application of Coarsened Exact Matching

Most studies that explore collective models of intra-household decision-making use economic outcomes such as human capital, earnings, assets, and relative income shares as proxies of the relative distribution of bargaining power. These studies, however, fail to incorporate important measures of control over and management of the economic resources within households. In the current study, a direct measure of financial decision-making power within the household is used to directly assess the distribution of bargaining power. Coarsened exact matching, an identification strategy not yet applied in studies of this nature, is applied to couple-level observational data from South Africa’s longitudinal National Income Dynamics Study. The influence of gender differences in intra-household decision-making on resource allocations to per capita household expenditure is assessed. In the case of greater financial decision-making power in couples being assigned to wives rather than husbands, per capita household expenditure on education increases significantly. The empowerment of women with financial decision-making power therefore holds the promise of realizing the benefits of investments in human capital.

Moving up the sanitation ladder: latrine promotion and household decision-making in Viet Nam

We examine the relationship between promotion activities and sanitation decisions in the context of a program in the Mekong Delta that encouraged households to switch from fishpond latrines to septic tanks. Before and after the campaign, we surveyed households and promoters. Economic variables were important determinants of septic tank adoption, but whether or not the decision was woman-led and familiarity with the promoter were strongly predictive as well. Controlling for the pre-existing household decision-making structure, women were more likely to lead the sanitation decision if a promoter spoke to them rather than a male householder. Our household-based findings on the importance of promoters were supported by a supplementary analysis of sales. We found that promoters who were older, trained, and educated were more successful in selling septic tanks. Taken together, these findings highlight the importance of gender equity and trust in the promoter for encouraging last-mile households to invest in new health technologies.

Household Decision-Making: Implications for Production, Consumption, and Sale of Nutrient-Rich Foods

Household decision-making influences choices related to the production, sale, purchase, and consumption of nutrient-rich foods. The present study assessed the effect of household decision-making in two regions of Ethiopia within two groups of households, most vulnerable households and model farmer households. The study focused on identifying barriers and facilitators relating to decisions about nutrient-rich foods—in this case fruits, vegetables, and animal source foods. The results provide insights into how future agricultural programs can affect key aspects of decision-making to maximize the positive impacts on diet and food security.

Working Through Marriage: Effects of Marital Inequalities on Perceptions of Women’s Employment

Women’s domestic responsibilities are often cited as the main barrier to their entry into the workforce. Drawing on a survey conducted across four cities in North India, we look within the household to evaluate the effects of marital inequalities on the perceptions held about women’s work. Respondents were asked questions about the personal value in working, women’s competence to excel in certain fields and the opportunity costs of working outside the house. We characterise marital inequality through differences in age and education between spouses and marriage type as well as through the distribution of power in household decision-making and the freedom of mobility outside the house enjoyed by women. Overall, we note that these markers tend to have the strongest effects on questions that explicitly note discord between work options and domestic responsibilities. The variation in these effects reveal the relative valence of certain powers within the house over others.