Effect of women’s empowerment and socio-economic status on choice and use of family planning methods in sub-Saharan Africa

Monika S. Sawhney, Mercer University
Yohannes Kinfu, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)

The determinants of family planning use have been well established in different contexts. However, less is known about the associations between method choice and women’s empowerment in general. This study proposes to examine different aspects of women’s empowerment and their individual and collective influence on current family planning methods choice in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Demographic and Health Surveys data is used to test a hypothesis that less empowered women tend not to practice family planning methods, and when they do so, are more likely to use permanent methods or methods that do not require men’s awareness and involvement. An Ordinal Multi-variable Sample-Selection Model will be employed to model this two-stage contraceptive use behavior. The resulting analyses will clarify the linkages between women’s empowerment and family planning practice in SSA, and provide policy makers and development partners with evidence that will improve the supply chain for family planning in the region.