Measuring agency beyond direct decision-making Marya HilleslandCheryl DossSerena MasinoMartina QuerejetaAletheia Amalia DonaldGreg SeymourClare Clingain July 01, 2025 This page in: English © 2025 The World Bank Group,

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/developmenttalk/measuring-agency-beyond-direct-decision-making Measures of agency and empowerment are often operationalized through questions regarding decision-making. Survey items may ask respondents whether they participate in, influence, or have the final say in household decisions. This approach focuses on the involvement in the decision regardless of whether the desired outcome is achieved. Yet, this standard approach to measuring agency may miss three key elements:... © 2025 The World Bank Group,