Women’s economic empowerment may be conceptualized as both a transformative process and an outcome, influenced by a multitude of contextual factors and realized at the individual, household, community and national level. While women's economic empowerment is multidimensional and complex, it may be understood according to three domains: resources (which enhance the ability to exercise choice), agency (to act and effect change in spheres important to the individual) and achievements (measurable empowerment outcomes). Within the realm of agency, decision-making — individuals’ ability and power to make and act on decisions and control resources and profits — is a core element.

In seeking to better understand women’s decision-making roles in agriculture and food systems, the Feed the Future Advancing Women’s Empowerment Program conducted an evidence scan of peer-reviewed and gray literature in agriculture, food, and market systems programming. The scan focused on evidence of specific programmatic approaches and their outcomes, as well as methodologies and metrics to measure women’s decision-making and changes through programs. This evidence scan is intended to inform the design and development of capacity support resources to support USAID Missions and implementing partners to enhance women’s decision-making power in their programming.