Male-headed Households Research Articles

Gendered financial & nutritional benefits from access to pay-as-you-go LPG for cooking in an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya

This study investigates the association between adoption of pay-as-you-go (PAYG) liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), an emerging alternative to full cylinder LPG, and women's economic empowerment in an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya. From December 2021-January 2022, 293 customers of a PAYG LPG company (PayGo Energy) were surveyed on their cooking patterns, financial savings and shifts in dietary behaviors following uptake of the technology. Among PayGo Energy customers that previously cooked only with polluting fuels (N = 78; 27 % of customers), daily cooking time was reduced by an average of 42 min/day; 82 % of PayGo Energy customers that previously cooked with full cylinder LPG (N = 216; 73 % of customers) also decreased their cooking time (average of 20 min/day) when switching to PAYG LPG. The majority (58 %; N = 70) of female household heads took on additional employment after switching to PAYG LPG, compared with 36 % (N = 55) of females living in male-headed households. Among female household heads, the proportion of informal sector workers earning wages on an irregular (71 %) or daily basis (61 %) that took on new income-generating activities after transitioning to PAYG LPG was over 20 % higher than those earning monthly salaries (39 %). Increased dietary diversity and consumption of protein-rich foods (legumes, meat, fish) from cooking with PAYG LPG was reported by 15 % of female household heads compared with 5 % of those living in male-headed households. While nearly three-quarters (73 %) of PayGo Energy customers would recommend the service to others because of the added convenience it provides, only one-third (29 %) reported associated health benefits as a key reason for promoting use of PAYG LPG to community members. Female household heads were more likely than non-household heads to be socioeconomically empowered when adopting PAYG LPG, illustrating that women's agency may influence the associated benefits of clean energy transitions. Nonetheless, the time savings reported by nearly all women who switched to PAYG LPG for cooking suggests that promoting the increased convenience of cooking with PAYG LPG may be useful for accelerating its adoption..

Being a householder speaking a foreign language: Foreign language proficiency and the internet technology adoption of the household

This study employs microdata from the China Labor-force Dynamics Survey to investigate the influence of foreign language proficiency on the adoption of Internet technology within households. The results indicate that householders who are proficient in foreign languages are more likely to adopt Internet technology at home than those who lack such knowledge. The greater the foreign language proficiency of the householder, the greater the likelihood of Internet technology adoption. Further analyses indicate that the positive effect of foreign language proficiency on the Internet technology adoption of the household in China is more pronounced in male-headed households, in urban areas, and in eastern and central regions. This study also identifies three potential mechanisms by which foreign language proficiency influences household Internet technology adoption: the information effect, the trust effect, and the income effect. These findings contribute to the understanding of the role of language proficiency in technology adoption at the household level, offer new insights into the positive outcomes of foreign language education in China, and encourage measures to reduce digital inequality among households through language learning.

Gender, livelihood diversification and food security: Insights from rural communities in Zambia

Rural livelihood diversification can improve food security at the household level. However, a large majority of the research has focused on male-headed households, thus overlooking experiences of female-headed households that constitute a significant portion of households in low-income and middle-income countries. This paper explores how on-farm livelihood diversification affects female-headed households' food security experiences. Using interviews and focus group discussions, the paper finds that on-farm diversification improves female-headed households’ food security. The paper also finds that on-farm diversification was more effective in improving the food security experiences of female-headed households compared with off-farm diversification. Further, the additional income from diversification creates additional benefits, including empowering women and allowing them to further diversify their livelihoods.

Exploring the multifaceted dynamics of unemployment in South Africa

This study aims to examine the causes and impacts of unemployment in South Africa using data from the 2022 General Household Survey conducted by STATS SA. Specifically, it seeks to analyze the demographic and socio-economic factors influencing unemployment rates, explore the implications of unemployment on individuals and society, and identify policy implications for addressing this pressing issue. Unemployment remains a significant challenge in South Africa, with persistent high rates that disproportionately affect certain demographic groups. This study addresses the need for an in-depth analysis of unemployment dynamics, providing valuable insights into its causes, consequences, and potential policy interventions. The study utilizes data from the 2022 General Household Survey conducted by STATS SA, encompassing a total population of approximately 18738 households. The dataset offers comprehensive information on employment status, demographic characteristics, education levels, and household income. Employing the statistical software SPSS, employing a combination of descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation, and a binary logistic regression model, the research uncovers significant disparities across demographic groups, shedding light on the challenges faced by individuals at the household level and advocating for targeted policy interventions. Gender disparities emerge starkly, with female-headed households constituting 44% of the sample yet reporting lower employment rates (34.7%) compared to male-headed households (59.6%). Regression analysis confirms this trend, highlighting the gender-based hurdles in accessing employment opportunities. Furthermore, concerning trends in youth unemployment are revealed, with nearly 40% of individuals under 35 reported as unemployed. Regression analysis demonstrates a negative association between age and unemployment, emphasizing the need for targeted youth employment initiatives. Additionally, the study underscores the critical role of education in enhancing employment prospects, with higher levels of education associated with lower unemployment rates. Racial disparities in unemployment rates are also elucidated, with the Black/African population group facing the highest unemployment rate at 52.3%, significantly higher than the Asian/Indian (37.8%) and White (40.4%) population groups. Regression analysis confirms these disparities, necessitating targeted efforts to address structural barriers and promote racial equity in the labor market. The study recommends, implementing gender-sensitive employment policies, enhancing youth skills development programs, and promoting equitable access to education and training opportunities for all groups.

Vulnerability of Poverty Between Male and Female-Headed Households in China

AbstractThis study investigates the nexus between household head gender and poverty vulnerability in the context of China's eradication of absolute poverty. Using a sample of 5061 rural households from the 2018 CFPS database, poverty vulnerability is quantitatively measured through the VEP model and the 3FGLS method. Additionally, the Probit model is employed to elucidate the ties between household head gender and rural household poverty vulnerability. The study uncovers an absence of significant disparity in poverty vulnerability between female-headed and male-headed households overall. However, heterogeneity is observed within female-headed households: de jure female-headed households exhibit greater vulnerability, while De facto female-headed households display the opposite trend. Notably, health risks are accentuated as a decisive factor, with female-headed households, especially de jure ones, experiencing significantly higher health risks than their male-headed counterparts. Moreover, the education level, household income, and assets are positively correlated with reducing poverty vulnerability and facilitating households' escape from poverty. These findings provide important references for formulating poverty alleviation strategies and more effective mechanisms to prevent relapse, thereby alleviating vulnerability to relative poverty.

Investigating the determinants of household energy consumption in Nigeria: insights and implications

BackgroundThe present study draws motivation from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and explores the nexus between access to modern cooking energy sources, responsible energy consumption, climate change mitigation, and economic growth. Using 2018 demographic and health survey data, the study examines the influence of key socioeconomic and demographic factors on household choice of cooking energy in Nigeria.ResultsThe empirical results show that traditional energy sources are dominant among Nigerian households (74.24%) compared to modern energy sources (25.76%). Regarding energy demographics, male-headed households show more usage of modern energy sources (19.86%) compared to female-headed households (5.90%). Regional analysis reveals that the northwest region predominantly uses traditional energy sources (18.60% of the share of total traditional energy sources), while the southwest region shows the greatest usage of modern energy sources (10.52% of the share of total modern energy sources). Binary logistic regression analysis reveals the positive and statistically significant influence of wealth index, education, and geopolitical region on the likelihood of utilizing modern energy sources. Conversely, household size and place of residence indicate an inverse relationship with the likelihood of adopting modern energy sources.ConclusionsThese findings have important policy implications for energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and improving the quality of life in Nigeria, which is currently plagued with significant energy poverty, especially in rural communities.

Unveiling determinants of household lighting preferences in rural Tanzania: insights for sustainable energy access

This paper investigates the determinants and prospects of household lighting choices in rural Tanzania using a Multinomial Logit Regression Model. The analysis is based on data from 4671 households, focusing on three lighting options: electricity, solar energy, and candle lighting. The results reveal significant factors influencing these choices, including household head characteristics, household size, marital status, education, employment status, number of rooms, and income. Key findings indicate that the age of the household head negatively influences the likelihood of choosing grid-electricity, while having a male head of household significantly reduces the probability of opting for any lighting option. Larger household size is negatively associated with choosing electricity and candle lighting. Marital status shows that married households are more likely to use candle lighting. Employment status positively impacts the likelihood of adopting all three lighting options, with employed household heads being more likely to choose modern lighting solutions. Income levels are crucial, as higher income significantly increases the probability of selecting electricity and candle lighting, but not solar energy. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to enhance sustainable energy access in rural Tanzania. It highlights the importance of addressing socio-economic factors to promote the adoption of modern and sustainable lighting technologies.

Rural households’ resilience to the adverse impacts of climate variability and food insecurity in the North-eastern highlands of Ethiopia

Climate variability and food insecurity shocks frequently affect the livelihood of rural households. Therefore, understanding the fundamentals of resilience is essential for enhancing the capabilities of vulnerable households. The objective of this study was to analyze rural households' resilience to the adverse impacts of climate variability and food insecurity in the North-eastern highlands of Ethiopia. Based on a cross-sectional survey, both probability and non-probability sampling procedures were employed to select sample respondents, key informants and focus group discussants. Principal Component Analysis (PCA), one-way ANOVA and linear regression modeling were used to analyze the data. The results indicated that perceptions of climatic variability, agricultural assets, adaptive capacity and income and food access are the four resilience dimensions with the largest contribution to households’ resilience. Likewise, social capital and access to basic services were the next positive contributors. However, agricultural technology adoption and social safety nets were insignificant contributors. Moreover, households living in the Meher livelihood zone/LHZ/were highly resilient followed by ABB and Meher-belg. On the other hand, respondents in the SWS, CHV and Belg LHZs were less resilient. Male-headed households, household heads with formal education and married households were found to be more resilient than their counterparts. The study found that 50.4 % of the respondents were non-resilient and 45.5 % were highly resilient. In conclusion, the adverse impacts of climate-related hazards associated with the existing food insecurity have deteriorated the resilience capacity of rural households by which they became highly vulnerable and could be easily exposed to shocks. The study suggested that unless well-planned intervention is implemented many households might quickly lose their resilience status to worse even by a very little shock. Moreover, enhancing capability aspects should be the primary goal of any interventions aimed at increasing households' resilience in drought-prone areas in general and the study area in particular.

Multilevel analysis of intimate partner violence and associated factors among reproductive-age women: Kenya demographic and health survey 2022 data

IntroductionIntimate partner violence is a human rights violation that often involves violence against women, which appears to be the most prevalent type of abuse. Intimate partner violence is a major global public health issue that includes physical, emotional, and sexual violence. The prevalence of intimate partner violence in Africa is high. The burden of intimate partner violence among reproductive-age women is high in Kenya. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to determine the associated factors of intimate partner violence among reproductive-age women at the individual and community level from the recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) 2022 data of Kenya.MethodsThe Kenya National Demographic and Health Survey data of 2022 was used for this study. The overall sample size for this study was 14,612, which focused on women aged 15 to 49 years who had ever been partnered and responded to the domestic violence module. Multilevel logistic regression models to determine the prevalence and associated factors at the individual and community level with intimate partner violence with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) and Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR).ResultThe overall prevalence of intimate partner violence was 41.1% with a 95% CI (40.07%, 42.60. Male-headed households, poorest and middle wealth status, partner alcohol use, separated/widowed current marital status, and low education of women were statistically significantly associated with intimate partner violence at the individual level variables in this study.ConclusionsThe prevalence of intimate partner violence was high. Educating women, reducing partner alcohol use, and improving the economic status of women, were crucial in mitigating the burden of intimate partner violence. The intimate partners are supposed to respect the rights of women.

Examining the paradox: increased malaria risk in children under 5 in female-headed households in Nigeria

BackgroundNigeria is facing a severe malaria crisis, accounting for a significant proportion of global cases and deaths of malaria. This study aimed to investigate the differences between female-headed households (FHHs) and male-headed households (MHHs) and their impact on malaria risk among children under five (U5) in Nigeria.MethodsData from the 2021 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (NMIS) were used for this cross-sectional study. A representative sample of 10,988 households was analysed, with key variables subjected to frequency calculations, descriptive statistics, and bivariate analyses using t-tests and chi-square analyses to compare the differences between FHHs and MHHs.ResultsAmong all participants, 92.1% (N = 10,126) reported residing in male-headed households, while 7.8% (N = 862) reported living in female-headed households. MHHs were significantly more likely to own insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) than FHHs (64.7% vs. 53.6%, P < 0.001). U5 children in MHHs had a greater likelihood of sleeping under a bed net the night before the survey than U5 children in FHHs (35.3% vs. 30.0%, P < 0.05). The prevalence of fever in the previous two weeks among U5 children was similar in MHHs and FHHs (35.4% vs. 31.4%), and the testing rates for malaria among U5 children who experienced febrile episodes were higher in MHHs than FHHs (22.4% vs. 15.4%, P < 0.05). Although not statistically significant, FHHs exhibited a higher percentage of U5 children testing positive for malaria compared to MHHs (87.8% vs. 78.9%). On the other hand, FHHs had higher education levels, overall wealth index scores, and a larger presence in urban areas compared to MHHs (P < 0.001). Moreover, FHHs reported higher adherence to malaria prevention awareness (P < 0.001).ConclusionIn Nigeria, FHHs enjoy relatively better socioeconomic conditions and stronger awareness of malaria prevention compared to their male-headed counterparts. Contrary to expectations, FHHs are at an increased risk of malaria in children under 5 years old. This phenomenon is associated with entrenched gender inequality and the challenges women face in accessing critical assets. As women in FHHs bear the responsibility of income generation while caring for their children, it is crucial to prioritize interventions that address malaria management in FHHs to reduce both malaria incidence and mortality rates.Graphical

Exploring effects of climate-smart agriculture innovations on women smallholders’ livelihoods in Ethiopia

AbstractStudies do not often provide evidence as to how innovations improve women smallholders’ livelihoods in male-headed households by analyzing women farmers in their own rights which is vital to develop and implement future gender responsive and transformative agricultural innovations. This study investigates if Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) – specifically conservation agriculture (CA) and small-scale irrigation schemes (SSIS) – improve women smallholders’ livelihoods. A concurrent mixed method was applied, and data was collected using survey, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs). Descriptive and t- statistics were used to analyze quantitative data and thematic and narrative analysis methods to analyze qualitative data. Findings demonstrate that gender norms and intersectional identities and experiences of women together with the absence of gender equity and equality based structural works limit improvement in women’s livelihoods. While the use of CA did not change both men and women farmers livelihoods, SSIS improved men users’ financial and physical capitals. Hence, future CSA innovations should first identify the root causes of contextual gender inequalities and CSA innovations should be implemented based on women smallholders needs, experiences and realities. Building women smallholders’ livelihood capitals through off-farm income-generating activities and broadening the operational scale of CSA innovations for addressing strategic gender needs are desired. Explicitly, there is a need to move to a gender transformative approach (GTA) when implementing CSA innovations as GTA challenges and transforms gender norms and intersectional problems including unequal gendered access to livelihood capitals and decision-making power, unequal gender role distributions and gendered representations and implementation processes in economic policies.

Adolescent pregnancy persists in Nigeria: Does household heads' age matter?

About 700,000 pregnant youths die each year in developing countries. To determine whether the persistent adolescent pregnancy in Nigeria between 2013 and 2018 was influenced by proximal factors, particularly household head age, we carried out a cross-sectional study on adolescent girls that participated in the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). Age of first birth, residence type, age, and gender of household heads was collected using a 2018 standardized NDHS. Multiple logistic regression was performed to test for associations. We analyzed 8,448 adolescents who had experienced pregnancy during the study period. The results demonstrated that girls with male household heads aged 45 and older have lower odds of adolescent pregnancy (OR = 0.619; 95% CI = 0.447, 0.856; p = 0.004 compared to those with female household heads in the same age group. Girls with male household heads in three younger age groups have higher odds of adolescent pregnancy than those with female household heads in the corresponding age group (15-24: OR = 1.719, 95% CI = 1.042, 2.835, p = 0.034; 25-34: OR = 4.790, 95% CI = 1.986, 11.551, p < 0.001; 35-44: OR = 2.080, 95% CI = 1.302, 3.323, p = 0.002). Girls with household heads aged in the 15-24 and 25-34 groups had higher odds of adolescent pregnancy compared to those with household heads aged 45 and older. Higher odds of adolescent pregnancy in Nigeria were found among girls with household heads aged in the 15-24 and 25-34 groups compared to those with household heads aged 45 and older. Although girls with younger male household heads are at an increased risk nationally, those living in the rural areas with younger household heads are at an even higher risk for adolescent pregnancy. Therefore, levels of socioecological model must be considered in planning for effective interventions.

Optimizing Resource-Use Efficiency of Yam Producers in Ondo State, Nigeria: A Path to Enhanced Food Production

Resource utilization inefficiency poses a significant barrier to enhancing food production in Nigeria. This research assessed the efficiency of resource use among yam cultivators in the Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria, through a study involving 100 yam farmers chosen at random. Information was gathered using interview schedules and a systematically organized questionnaire. The analysis employed descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis, and multiple regression models. Findings indicate that the mean age of the farmers surveyed was 55.35 years, with 60% boasting over 30 years of agricultural experience. A majority (84%) were male heads of households, and 85% were married. Approximately 63% of the participants reported having households of 6 to 10 members, indicating relatively large family sizes. Around 79% had received primary education or had no formal schooling. The average farm size was found to be 0.70 hectares, with 79% managing no more than 1 hectare, categorizing them as small-scale farmers. The research also uncovered that yam cultivation is financially viable, yielding an average gross margin and net income per hectare of N94,636.13 and N83,491.60, respectively. The primary challenges faced by these farmers include insufficient funding, inadequate storage facilities, and the elevated costs of planting materials. Consequently, the study suggests that the government should formulate and implement agricultural policies aimed at ameliorating these challenges to boost yam production in the region

KEBIJAKAN PEMERINTAH DALAM PENCEGAHAN PENULARAN COVID-19 BERDAMPAK PADA KETAHANAN PANGAN DAN POLA KONSUMSI RUMAH TANGGA DI INDONESIA

Household food security is an essential issue for a country and has become a national issue in poor and developing countries worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. Various problems could arise if household food-nutrition needs are not met. This study aims to explore factors related to household food security during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. A systematic literature review that was used twelve articles. Three electronic databases (Google Scholar, ProQuest, and ScienceDirect) were used to find the articles between January 2020 to April 2023. The original articles were selected based on the PRISMA-P flowchart model. The results show the socio-demographic (sex of household’s head, age, education, literacy) and socio-economic (occupation, income, wealth, area of living) factors influencing household food security. Households having a male head of household, good literacy, and an adequate economy have a significant effect on having nutritious food security during COVID-19 pandemic. These findings recommend that the central government of Indonesia provide financial assistance to food-insecure households, improve access to food, and promote healthy food products.

OPTIMIZING RESOURCE-USE EFFICIENCY OF YAM PRODUCERS IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA: A PATH TO ENHANCED FOOD PRODUCTION

Resource utilization inefficiency poses a significant barrier to enhancing food production in Nigeria. This research assessed the efficiency of resource use among yam cultivators in the Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria, through a study involving 100 yam farmers chosen at random. Information was gathered using interview schedules and a systematically organized questionnaire. The analysis employed descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis, and multiple regression models. Findings indicate that the mean age of the farmers surveyed was 55.35 years, with 60% boasting over 30 years of agricultural experience. A majority (84%) were male heads of households, and 85% were married. Approximately 63% of the participants reported having households of 6 to 10 members, indicating relatively large family sizes. Around 79% had received primary education or had no formal schooling. The average farm size was found to be 0.70 hectares, with 79% managing no more than 1 hectare, categorizing them as small-scale farmers. The research also uncovered that yam cultivation is financially viable, yielding an average gross margin and net income per hectare of N94,636.13 and N83,491.60, respectively. The primary challenges faced by these farmers include insufficient funding, inadequate storage facilities, and the elevated costs of planting materials. Consequently, the study suggests that the government should formulate and implement agricultural policies aimed at ameliorating these challenges to boost yam production in the region. Keywords: Agricultural Policy, Yam Production, Resource Efficiency, Small-Scale Farmers, Nigeria.

Utilizing maternal healthcare services: are female-headed households faring poorly?

BackgroundUtilization of maternal healthcare services has a direct bearing on maternal mortality but is contingent on a wide range of socioeconomic factors, including the sex of the household head. This paper studies the role of the sex of the household head in the utilization of maternal healthcare services in India using data from the National Family Health Survey-V (2019–2021).MethodsThe outcome variable of this study is maternal healthcare service utilization. To that end, we consider three types of maternal healthcare services: antenatal care, skilled birth assistance, and postnatal care to measure the utilization of maternal healthcare service utilization. The explanatory variable is the sex of the household head and we control for specific characteristics at the individual level, household-head level, household level and spouse level. We then incorporate a bivariate logistic regression on the variables of interest.Results24.25% of women from male-headed households have complete utilization of maternal healthcare services while this proportion for women from female-headed households stands at 22.39%. The results from the bivariate logistic regression confirm the significant impact that the sex of the household head has on the utilization of maternal healthcare services in India. It is observed that women from female-headed households in India are 19% (AOR, 0.81; 95% CI: 0.63,1.03) less likely to utilize these services than those from male-headed households. Moreover with higher levels of education, there is a 25% (AOR, 1.25; 95% CI: 1.08,1.44) greater likelihood of utilizing maternal healthcare services. Residence in urban areas, improved wealth quintiles and access to healthcare facilities significantly increases the chances of maternal healthcare utilization. The interaction term between the sex of the household head and the wealth quintile the household belongs to, (AOR, 1.39; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.89) shows that the utilization of maternal healthcare services improves when the wealth quintile of the household improves.ConclusionThe results throw light on the fact that the added expenditure on maternal healthcare services exacerbates the existing financial burden for the economically vulnerable female-headed households. This necessitates the concentration of research and policy attention to alleviate these households from the sexual and reproductive health distresses.Trial RegistrationNot Applicable.JEL ClassificationD10, I12, J16.

Gender Differentials for Participation in Producer Organization Among Smallholder Farmers: Evidence from Nigeria

Linking smallholder farmers to formal markets through producer organizations is increasingly becoming a pathway toward agricultural inclusivity. This study investigated the disparities in participation between male and female groups in Nigeria. Data was collected from 604 farmers and decomposition analysis for three gender categories was carried out using the Fairlie decomposition technique. The results showed a 24.2% higher actual mean probability of participation for males over females and a 20.1% actual mean probability higher for male-headed households compared to female-headed households. There was also a 27.59% actual mean probability higher for the de facto female-headed households over de jure female-headed households. Diverse factors were found to push the gender gap at various magnitudes. Interventions targeting gender equality should be entrenched in understanding the social and cultural practices and norms in Nigeria.

Unlocking gender dynamics in food and nutrition security in Ghana: assessing dietary diversity, food security, and crop diversification among cocoa household heads in the Juaboso-Bia cocoa landscape.

Malnutrition is a worldwide problem that impacts every country, affecting one in three individuals, including Ghana. According to estimates from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 690million people were undernourished globally in 2019. Malnutrition is no exception in rural cocoa communities in Ghana. The expansion of cocoa is causing food insecurity and low dietary diversity in most cocoa-growing areas. There is little information on the food security status and dietary diversity among male-headed and female-headed cocoa households in the Juaboso-Bia cocoa landscape. Thus, this study sought to explore the dietary diversity distribution, food security status, sources of staple food, food unavailability periods, food production status, themes contributing to low dietary diversity and food insecurity, and perception of the impact of cocoa expansion on crop diversification among male-headed and female-headed cocoa households in the study area. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were employed to address the research questions. The study collected 200 semi-structured questionnaire data and 14 in-depth interview data from cocoa household heads in the Juaboso-Bia landscape. The survey data was cleaned and analysis, such as household dietary diversity status, food security status, and binary logistic regression were performed in the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). The in-depth interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Through this study, it was revealed that 62.8% of the male-headed cocoa households had medium to high dietary diversity compared to their female counterparts 39.3%. About 47.9% of the male-headed households were food secure than the female-headed households (29.1%). Moreover, the months that both male and female-headed households recalled facing severe food unavailability were July and June. In addition, climate change/variability, unavailable lands, poverty, large household size, and gender stereotypes were themes promoting low dietary diversity and food insecurity among male and female-headed households. Furthermore, sex, total household income, and cropland conversion to cocoa were the variables influencing household heads' perception of the impact of cocoa expansion on crop diversification. The study showed that the male-headed cocoa households had high dietary diversity and were food secure than the female-headed cocoa households, lending credence to the conceptual framework applied in this study. There is a significant relationship between household head gender and food security status. Therefore, this study recommends the following interventions to improve dietary diversity and food security among male and female-headed cocoa households: raise awareness about the need for diverse diets and provide practical information on how to incorporate a greater variety of food groups into their daily meals; and promote gender equity and inclusivity in food security interventions. Future research could investigate how gender mainstreaming policies in agriculture have helped empower and improve the food security of female-headed households in Ghana.

Gendered livelihoods and the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices in Nigeria

Feminist research maintains that livelihood activities are socially differentiated. While gendered unevenness in livelihood opportunities may condition the agricultural adaptive capacities of male-headed households (MHHs) and female-headed households (FHHs) to climate change, the gendered dimensions of livelihood activities have not been addressed in much of the climate-smart agriculture practices (CSAPs) adoption literature. This paper expands feminist livelihood research by analysing gendered dimensions of livelihood activities and their relation to the adoption and intensity of the use of CSAPs. The analysis draws on a nationally representative Living Standards Measurement Survey - Integrated Surveys on Agriculture (LSMS-ISA) panel dataset from Nigeria. The research findings show that a significantly higher percentage of FHHs (51%) are involved in on-farm activities compared to their MHHs (38%) counterparts (p < 0.01). The results further show that gendered household headship (HH) is significantly associated with the adoption of CSAPs. Moreover, based on a feminist approach to livelihoods, we find that livelihood diversification moderates the relationship between gendered HH and CSAP adoption intensity. This suggests that FHHs with more livelihood opportunities have a greater probability of adopting a greater number of CSAPs than MHHs. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for the promotion of CSAPs and sheds light on how the Nigerian government can formulate gender-sensitive policies to promote the adoption of CSAPs.

Gendered flood risk perception and mental health of urban households in Ghana: Insights from the Oforikrom municipality

It is important to understand gendered impacts of flood risks on mental health in developing countries. This study examines the gender-differentiated impacts of flood risk on the mental health of households in Ghana. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, we collected data through questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews. Descriptive statistics and Student's t-test were used to analyze the data. The study revealed that both male and female headed households in the communities had experienced floods and associated impacts. However, flood risk perceptions of households were gender differentiated. The independent samples t-test result shows that the difference between male and female households' perceived mental health impacts of flooding are not significantly different. The impacts, include increased stress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Additionally, the results show divergent coping strategies, with male headed households preferring temporal relocation and female headed households seeking support from family and friends. Further distinctions emerged in adaptation strategies, as male headed households constructed floodwalls, while female headed households opted for desilting drainage systems. The findings have theoretical and practical implications for flood risk management in urban Ghana and other developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.