THEME: There is a trend towards independent decision-making among Miao men and women.

In 1996, IFAD conducted a field study that included interviews with the Miao tribal population in the isolated mountain areas of Guizhou province. Although the study sample was small, the findings are interesting in their detail. One of the topics explored was the influence of gender in expenditure decision-making. What emerged were marked differences by age group. Women are increasingly asserting their rights to make independent decisions. But so are men.

These findings among the Miao need to be understood within the context of changes taking place in peoples' livelihoods. Over the past few decades, there seems to have been a move away from agriculture as the primary livelihood, to a mix of agriculture, off-farm employment and, sometimes, income-generating activities. More and more of the younger Miao are earning an income outside agriculture, particularly in wage employment. Younger women often also work part time, sometimes even leaving their children to be cared for by older relatives. In other instances, men go away for long periods of time, leaving their wives in charge of running the household (depending on the wives' age and the presence of in-laws). Both these situations tend to change women's roles and their control over expenditure decisions. But, the study shows that they can also result in men no longer consulting their wives as frequently as did men in the previous generation.

The study conducted in-depth interviews on decision-making at the household level. Findings indicate the following.

• Many decisions, especially those regarding larger expenditures, are made jointly by the husband and wife.
• Where small amounts of money are involved, women often decide on their own, but the larger the expenditure, the more the wife is likely to consult the husband.
• There are certain areas of greater male and female control, as in the case of tools and consumer goods with men, and jewellery with women.
• The older women (age 50 and over) are more likely than younger women (age 25-29) to feel that they should consult their husbands on expenditure decisions. These younger women are also more likely to be earning cash income from off-farm work, and have a more equal family relationship.

Interesting findings emerged regarding age differences in independent versus joint decision-making among women and men. Among the women interviewed, this age pattern is clearest in the purchase of jewellery. Silver ornaments are worn by Miao women and represent family wealth. As such, they are handed down from generation to generation, and are an essential item in a dowry. The decision-making regarding jewellery purchase indicates a strong trend towards independence among younger women.

• Women 50 and over: all said they consulted their husbands.
• Women aged 40-49: 25% said they never consulted their husbands.
• Women aged 30-39: 28% said they never consulted their husbands.
• Women aged 20-29: fully 50% said they never consulted their husbands.

In the case of men, bicycles are an illustration of a similar trend. Mainly men use bicycles, which are considered one of the most expensive consumer goods that a Miao can purchase, having status and wealth implications. The study again indicated that the younger the man, the more likely he is to make an independent purchase decision:

• Men 50 and over: only 20% said they never consulted their wives.
• Men aged 40-49: 50% said they never consulted their wives.
• Men aged 30-39: 58% said they never consulted their wives.
• Men aged 20-29: fully 75% said they never consulted their wives.

Development programmes need to be aware of age as well as gender factors in intrahousehold decision-making on expenditures. In the case of the Miao, a move towards independent decision-making among women has a parallel among men. Therefore, it may not be so much a case of women's increasing control over expenditure decisions as it is a trend towards independent decision-making within the household.

Adapted from:

He Zhongua and Xi Yuhua. 1996. The Investigation Report of IFAD about Miao and Dong Nationality Autonomous Prefecture in Southeast Guizhou Province, Rome: IFAD.

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