Gender and food security: Household dynamics and outcomes

Development studies scholars recognize that the rights, entitlements, and material well-being of men and women must be equal for food security can be enjoyed by all. However, it is difficult to apply household level survey findings to the question of how gender shapes food security. In Southern African cities, gendered social identities and food insecurity among poor households are highly interconnected. This chapter foregrounds intersectionality as a feminist analytical tool to test the influence of the gender of a household head in relation to three measures: (1) the number of adults in the household; (2) the age of the household head; and (3) the education level of the household head. Taking Blantyre, Malawi and Gaborone, Botswana as case studies, this chapter demonstrates the value of a gender lens of analysis for developing a balanced understanding of contextual factors and general factors shaping food insecurity in Southern African cities. This chapter highlights intersectionality as a feminist analytical tool to test the influence of the gender of a household head in relation to three measures: the number of adults in household; the age of household head; and the education level of household head. It demonstrates the value of a gender lens of analysis for developing a balanced understanding of contextual factors and general factors shaping food insecurity in Southern African cities by considering Blantyre, Malawi and Gaborone, Botswana as case studies. The chapter focuses on the education and gender of the household head in relation to household food security status, responding to the high profile of gender parity in education as a key strategy for achieving gender equity in developing societies. It examines reflections on the research methodologies employed, and explores how a gendered lens of analysis can expand understanding of the causes of urban food insecurity and support policy innovations in the region.