Table 2.

Classification of example measures of empowerment

Measure	Classification method	Agent	Barrier	Interest	Direct/indirect freedom	Forward/backward-looking
Who has the final say over household purchases?	Woman has the final say alone or jointly with others = empowered, otherwise disempowered	Woman herself	External	Objective interests	Indirect freedom	Forward-looking
Who has a say over household purchases? Would you be able to have a say over household purchases if you wanted to?	Woman has a say alone or jointly with others = empowered, otherwise disempowered	Woman herself	External	Subjective interests	Indirect freedom	Forward-looking
Who decided on past household purchases?	Woman decided alone or jointly with others = empowered, otherwise disempowered	Woman herself	External	Objective interests	Indirect freedom	Backward-looking
Who usually executes decisions on household purchases?	Woman executes decisions alone = empowered, otherwise disempowered	Woman herself	External	Objective interests	Direct freedom	Forward-looking
The Relative Autonomy Index	Higher levels of internal motivation = more empowered, higher levels of external motivation = less empowered	Woman herself	Internal and external	Subjective interests	Either—respondent chooses	Backward-looking
Specific self-efficacy to do X	Higher levels of confidence = more empowered, otherwise less empowered	Woman herself	Internal	Objective interests	N/A	Forward-looking
Generalised self-efficacy	Higher levels of confidence = more empowered, otherwise less empowered	Woman herself	Internal	Subjective interests	N/A	Forward-looking