Nearly 59% women in Bihar have property in their name; highest in India

In a sign of growing woman empowerment, a Health Ministry survey has found more than 40% of women in 15 states and Union Territories reviewed either owned or had a share in a joint property.

The first phase of National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4), 2015-16 held in 15 states and UTs has shown progressive indicators of woman empowerment, besides providing information on population, health and nutrition.

"Some new components were added this time to assess the status of women in the country like assets owned by them and domestic violence against pregnant women. The survey indicates a positive trend in the upliftment of women," a senior ministry official said.

Bihar tops the chart with highest 58.8% having property in their name, followed by Meghalaya and Tripura at 57.3% each, Karnataka 51.8% and Telangana 50.5%.

The survey showed more than 75% of married women participated in household decisions.

As many as 89.9% women in West Bengal have a say in decisions, up from 70.2% as per a 2005-6 survey.

The figure went up to 89.8% from 71.5% in Uttarakhand, in Tripura it rose to 91.7 from 77.9, Sikkim (95.3% from 93.6%), Meghalaya (91.4 % from 90.4 %), Madhya Pradesh (82.8% from 68.5%), Karnataka (80.4% from 68.6%), Goa (93.8% from 91.1%) and Bihar (75.2% from 69.2%).

The survey also showed improvements in maternal and child health and nutrition.

Data collection for the remaining states and UTs is currently on.