Gender, household food security, and dietary diversity in western Honduras
Based on:
Journal Article (2019)
Aspects of women’s empowerment can be important for food security and dietary diversity in Western Honduras.
Brief by:
Research collaborators:
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.
Key findings
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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Gender, household food security, and dietary diversity in western Honduras
Cite this brief: Larson, Janelle. 'Gender, household food security, and dietary diversity in western Honduras'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/gender-household-food-security-and-dietary-diversity-in-western-honduras/
Brief created by: Dr Janelle Larson | Year brief made: 2022
Original research:
- P. C., Larson, J., & L. J., ‘Gender, household food security, and dietary diversity in western Honduras’ 20 (pp. 170–179) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2019.01.005. – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2211912417301098?via%3Dihub
Research brief:
Aspects of women’s empowerment can be important for food security and dietary diversity in Western Honduras.
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.
Findings:
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.
Advice:
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
- This can be achieved by farmer-field schools, and other types of workshops, which combine technical training with workshops on gender. The workshops on gender look at gender norms, how they can change over time, leadership, and roles and responsibilities within the household.
Make sure to look at individuals
- This includes individuals within households, gender groupings and also intersectionality. It is important to look beyond any one category.
All development programmes should be intentional about incorporating gender
- If you having a training programme, make sure women are involved in the planning so that it is at a time and location that women can attend and participate. Do what is needed to facilitate women’s participation, e.g. provide child care.