Women in Decision Making by Dr. Vibhuti Patel, DIRECTOR, P.G.S. R. Prof. & HOD, University Department of Economics, SNDT Women’s University, Smt. Nathibai Thakersey Road,Chuchgate, Mumbai-400020 Phone-26770227®, 22031879 Ext. 243(O) Mobile-9321040048 E mail: vibhuti.np@gmail.com (Presented at Refresher Course on Women’s Studies organized by Academic Staff College of University of Gauhati, Guwahati, Assam on 1-7-06) Factors Affecting Decision-making by Women Poverty, lack of access to basic resources, lack of access to political party lists, low salaries, and discrimination in the workplace are considered as root causes of women's under-representation in economic and political decision-making. If women have to be concerned with survival, there is little time left for assuming positions of leadership and economic power. Recognition of women’s unpaid work and the need for sharing of family and household responsibilities, along with training in non-traditional skills, are key factors to help explain why so few women worldwide have actual decision-making power in the households, community and economy