Longitudinal Measurement Invariance of the Women’s Agency Scale

Abstract

We investigate the Women’s Agency Scale (WAS) using 2006-2012 panel data for 4,012 married women from the Egyptian Labor Market Panel Survey. A confirmatory factor analysis shows women’s agency is a multidimensional factor and its structure is invariant across time. Pending further cross-cultural and longitudinal validation, the WAS appears to be a valid measure to assess changes in women’s ability to exercise choice over time, with important implications for testing the impact of women’s empowerment programs and for monitoring progress towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Five of gender equality and to empower women and girls.