This conceptual paper examines the differences in the economic power of women between civilian and military households, integrating global evidence with the Malaysian context. Women’s economic power defined through income contribution, decision-making authority, resource ownership, and financial autonomy serves as a central indicator of gender equity and household well-being. Drawing on household bargaining theory, human capital theory, and role congruity theory, the study develops a comprehensive framework linking household type to women’s economic power through three mediating variables: employment stability, cultural and institutional norms, and access to support systems. The model posits institutional structures in military settings, characterized by mobility, hierarchical culture, and benefit centralization, constrain women’s participation and financial control relative to their civilian counterparts. In contrast, civilian households offer greater flexibility and opportunities for continuous employment, fostering stronger bargaining positions. The paper further discusses the moderating influence of education, income, and family size as control variables. Policy implications highlight the need for institutional empowerment initiatives within military systems, including portable employment, joint financial ownership, and targeted financial literacy programs. The proposed framework contributes to gender economics and policy research by integrating economic and sociocultural dimensions of women’s empowerment, offering a foundation for future empirical studies and national strategies aligned with Malaysia’s MADANI agenda.
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