Introduction: Women’s decision-making power is an important aspect of empowerment and plays a significant role in improving their social and economic status. The ability of women to participate in decisions related to their personal lives, careers, healthcare, and household matters reflects their level of autonomy within the family. This study examines the decision-making power of women in joint and nuclear families in Karachi and explores how factors such as education, family structure, and community participation influence women’s autonomy. Methods: The study adopted a quantitative research design. Primary data were collected from 76 women through a structured questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale. Respondents were selected from different areas of Karachi, including District East and District Malir. The collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between selected variables and women’s decision-making power in different areas of life, including freedom of movement, career decisions, and healthcare decisions. Results: The findings reveal that family structure, whether joint or nuclear, showed no significant relationship with women’s decision-making power. The results indicate that women living in nuclear families do not necessarily enjoy greater autonomy than those living in joint families. The study further found that confidence in applying educational knowledge is an important factor influencing women’s ability to make decisions regarding their careers and healthcare. Similarly, participation in community activities and women’s groups was found to have a positive effect on women’s freedom of movement. However, several variables showed no statistically significant relationship with women’s decision-making power. Conclusion: The study concludes that women’s autonomy is influenced more by personal confidence, educational empowerment, and social participation than by family type alone. These findings suggest that efforts to improve women’s decision-making power should focus on enhancing educational opportunities, building confidence, and encouraging greater participation in community activities. Such measures can contribute to strengthening women’s role in household decision-making and promoting gender equality in society.

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