Ownership and control over assets such as land and housing provide direct and indirect benefits to individuals and households, including a secure place to live, the means of a livelihood, protection during emergencies, and collateral for credit that can be used for investment or consumption....

Assets generate and help diversify income, provide collateral to access credit, alleviate liquidity constraints in the face of shocks, and are key inputs into empowerment. Despite the importance of individual-level data on asset ownership and control, and that most assets are owned by...

Agency-the ability to define one's own goals and make choices to achieve them-is often measured through questions that capture an individual's direct involvement in decision-making. Yet not participating in decision-making may not always imply a lack of power. Drawing on the notion of effective...