Decisions About Assistance Provided

This indicator measures people’s control over how specific assistance they receive would be used. It is relevant, especially when the assistance is supposed to benefit people who might be subjected to unequal decision-making powers within their household (primarily women). It helps you assess whether the recipients could use the assistance provided as needed.

Collect the following data through interviews with a representative sample of people targeted by this indicator.

RECOMMENDED SURVEY QUESTIONS (Q) AND POSSIBLE ANSWERS (A)

Q1: Has your household received [specify the provided assistance]?

A1: yes / no / is not sure

(ask the following question only if the previous answer is “yes”)

Q2: Who decided how the [specify the assistance] will be used?

A2: [one option only; do not read the answers to the respondent]

1) respondent

2) partner

3) respondent and partner jointly

4) respondent and another household member jointly

5) partner and another household member jointly

6) another household member

7) all household members agreed jointly

8) someone outside the household

9) other: specify: ………………………….

To determine the indicator’s value, divide the number of respondents who had their say in how the assistance would be used (i.e. answers 1, 3, 4 or 7) by the total number of respondents. Multiply the result by 100 to convert it to a percentage.

Disaggregate the data by age groups, wealth, and other factors depending on the local context.

1) This indicator is prone to social desirability bias—in some contexts, the respondents may feel the need to either say they decide on their own or jointly with the household member(s). Therefore, ensure that the enumerators can probe effectively to get accurate responses. For example, if a respondent says that the decision was taken jointly, the enumerator can ask about who had the final say.