Influence of Women's Empowerment on Household Food Security.

Food security is one of the major elements of development and poverty alleviation and has been the goal of many international and national public organizations. The extent to which gender inequalities in general and the gender gaps in empowerment in particular, thwart attainment of this priority goal is a key concern, given the vital role of women in household food security. This study was conducted to assess the influence of empowerment on household food security among women in Obafemi Awolowo University community. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit relevant information from 540 women in the university community using simple random sampling technique. Women Empowerment (WE) was assessed using Women Decision-making (WDM) ability from Women Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI). Household Food Security (HFS) was also assessed using the accessibility component of food security (physical, social and economic access to food). Data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that 28.9% and 20.0% of the women were rated high in WDM (WE) and HFS respectively. The decisions mostly taken by women were food related (73.3%), while the least was purchase of household gadgets like electronics (25.2%). Having a backyard garden as physical access to food (55.6%) and earning salary only as economic access to food (60.7%) had the highest form of access to food. Level of education had a positive and significant relationship with HFS (p = 0.014). Those with secondary education are twice more likely to have access to food (OR = 2.865, CI = 0.247-33.254) than those with other levels of education. Significant association existed between WDM (WE) ability and HFS (X² = 43.7, p = 0.013). It was concluded that education and decision-making ability of women are key to women's empowerment and household food security, which has implication on gender related issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]