Determinants of food security in Tanzania : gendered dimensions of household headship and control of resources

Date

2014-12

Authors

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Springer

Abstract

This paper examines heterogeneous impacts of gendered household headship and control of resources on food security in rural Tanzania (as measured by a World Food Programme score based on quantity and quality of food consumed in the household over a 7 day period). Analysis with minimal attention to heterogeneity in gender considerations indicates no differences in household food security between male and female-headed households. But with a more differentiated household headship variable (reflecting heterogeneity in household composition) and accounting for gendered differences in resource ownership, the results differ markedly. Using more gender-disaggregated variables, our results show significant differences between female-headed and male-headed households. In these results we find support for the claim that gender norms in the study villages often restrict women’s access to resources, resulting in more vulnerable female-headed households. Female-headed households with no male adults present are particularly vulnerable. The study also points to specific opportunities for enhanced food security with attention to female and joint ownership of livestock. These results represent a hopeful sign that efforts to enhance female livestock ownership could be a useful strategy to address lower levels of food consumption in these Tanzanian villages. Determinants of food security in Tanzania: Gendered dimensions of household headship and control of resources. - ResearchGate. Available from: http://www.researchgate.net/publication/268810687_Determinants_of_food_security_in_Tanzania_Gendered_dimensions_of_household_headship_and_control_of_resources [accessed Jul 23, 2015].

Description

Keywords

FOOD SECURITY, GENDER ROLES, SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH, GENDER ANALYSIS, TANZANIA, PATRIARCHY, POVERTY ALLEVIATION, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, VULNERABLE GROUPS

Citation

Mason,R., Ndlovu, P., Parkins, J.R., & Luckert, M.K. (2014). Determinants of food security in Tanzania: gendered dimensions of household headship and control of resources. Agriculture and Human Values. doi:10.1007/s10460-014-9568-5

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10625/54420

DOI

Collections

IDRC Research Results / Résultats de recherches du CRDI
2010-2019 / Années 2010-2019
Research Results (AFS) / Résultats de recherche (ASA)
Research Results (CIFSRF) / Résultats de recherches (FCRSAI)