Freedom Of Movement Index consists of four items. Three pertain to the woman’s ability to leave the house without the company of another adult: whether she could go out in general, such as to the market, take a child to the doctor, and go to a doctor for her own health care. The last factor pertained to whether women could leave their residence to visit natal kin when they wished, which usually implies a longer absence from the house than the other three types.
Geographies Tested: India
Populations Included: Female
Age Range: Adolescents, Adults
1. Can you leave the house without the company of another adult to go out in general, such as to the market?
2. Can you leave the house without the company of another adult to take your child to the doctor?
3. Can you leave the house without the company of another adult to visit a doctor for your own health care?
4. Can you leave the house without the company of another adult to visit your natal kin when you wished?
Response Options:
Yes - 1
No - 0
Women are scored 1 for answers to each factor that contribute to a higher degree of autonomy; otherwise they score 0. Respondents are scored on a scale from 0 to 4.
Bloom, S. S., Wypij, D., & Gupta, M. d. (2001). Dimensions of women’s autonomy and influence on maternal health care utilization in a North Indian City. Demography, 38(1), 67-78. https://doi.org/10.1353/dem.2001.0001
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