The Decision-Making measure is one of ten total scales in the Agency, Resources, and Institutional Structures for Sanitation-related Empowerment (ARISE) Scales. The measure is intended to capture one's ability to speak up and influence during community-level decision-making related to sanitation. Additionally, the measure captures one's ability to participate in and make household-level decisions.
Geographies Tested: India,Uganda
Populations Included: Female
Age Range: Adults
1. I would feel comfortable expressing my opinion about sanitation issues at a community meeting when men are present.
2. If I spoke up in a community meeting about sanitation issues, it is likely that some others would listen.
3. If I shared my opinion about sanitation issues with local leaders, NGOs, or government officials, it is likely that they would listen.
4. If my community had a major decision to make about sanitation, such as constructing public toilets, I could influence that decision.
5. If my community had decisions to make about latrine/toilet repairs or enhancements, like new floor tiles, doors, locks, or lights, I could influence these decisions.
6. If my community had decisions to make about maintenance or cleaning of latrines/toilets, I could influence those decisions.
7. If my household was making a decision about sanitation-related issues, I could be present for the discussion.
8. If my household was making a decision about sanitation-related issues, I would be welcome to participate in the discussion.
9. I would feel comfortable expressing my opinion about sanitation issues in household discussions.
10. If my household had a major decision to make about sanitation, such as construction or large repairs, I could independently make that decision.
11. If my household had decisions to make about latrine/toilet repairs or enhancements, like new floor tiles, doors, locks, or lights, I could independently make that decision.
12. If my household had decisions to make about small sanitation-related purchases, like soap toilet paper, etc., I could independently make those decisions.
13. I can independently make decisions about how my household will clean and maintain the sanitation environment/facility.
Response Options:
Strongly agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Items in the scale are summed. A weighted score is not necessary.
Sinharoy, S. S., McManus, S., Conrad, A., Patrick, M., & Caruso, B. A. (2023). The Agency, Resources, and Institutional Structures for Sanitation-related Empowerment (ARISE) Scales: Development and validation of measures of women's empowerment in urban sanitation for low- and middle-income countries. World Development, 164, 106183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2023.106183
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