Can Land Ownership Really Improve the Economic Status and Decision-Making Capacity of the Rural Women? Evidence from Bangladesh

Abstract

The study aims to reveal the impacts of land ownership on rural Bangladeshi women’s household incomes and decision-making capacity. Data were collected by using the Simple Random Sampling technique from the selected participants in Tangail district. The Propensity Score Matching (PSM) results demonstrate that land ownership had no significant impact on enhancing woman’s own income. The existing patriarchal norms restraint women from controlling their land; even their decision-making capacity regarding large purchase, crop cultivation, children’s well-being, and mobility remains very limited. Legislation concerning gender equal inheritance rights and longer action-plan for gender transformation are required for a change.