Gender, household food security, and dietary diversity in western Honduras
- Summary created: 2022
Aspects of women’s empowerment can be important for food security and dietary diversity in Western Honduras.
This summary, including its recommendations and ideas, was created by Dr Janelle Larson and is based on original research. The original research itself was conducted in collaboration with the following researchers.
Summary was created by
We found that some aspects of women’s empowerment, specifically access to and control over credit, and over income, is correlated with greater dietary diversity and food security.
It is important to look at different aspects of women’s empowerment, rather than just looking at women’s empowerment as a whole. Using the WEAI Index allowed us to break down women’s empowerment into different components, such as control over income, control over credit, group leadership and control of assets.
Another finding was that it is important to look at individuals within a married household. Men and women from the same household reported different levels of food security and dietary diversity. Women in a dual-headed household are also frequently ignored, however they often have different experiences than their husbands. It is also important to look at women in both single-headed and dual-headed households, because their experiences differ from each other. As a result, you cannot assume that all women are the same, or that all people in married couples are having the same experiences.
Insights
Some aspects of women's empowerment, specifically access to and control over credit, and over income, is correlated with greater dietary diversity and food security.
Men and women from the same household reported different levels of food security and dietary diversity.
It is important to look at individuals within a married household
Men and women from the same household reported different levels of food security and dietary diversity. Women in a dual-headed household are also frequently ignored, however they often have different experiences than their husbands. It is also important to look at women in both single-headed and dual-headed households, because their experiences differ from each other. As a result, you cannot assume that all women are the same, or that all people in married couples are having the same experiences.
Proposed action
Try to implement gender transformative programmes and recognise the importance of intra-household decision-making to achieve development outcomes
Often assumed that gender norms are so entrenched that we cannot do anything about it, but we found it is possible to change their perceptions, attitudes and behaviours
Make sure to look at individuals
All development programmes should be intentional about incorporating gender
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Acknowledgements
Thank you to iDE Global
These insights were made available thanks to the support of iDE Global, who are committed to the dissemination of knowledge for all.
Special thanks to Jasmyn Spanswick for preparation assistance
We would like to extend a special thank you to Jasmyn Spanswick, for their invaluable contribution in assisting the preparation of this research summary.
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