How livestock can empower women farmers
- From
-
Published on
04.07.22
- Impact Area

In the Global South, livestock has strong empowerment potential for millions of women by providing protein-rich food for home consumption and sale, strengthening their role as stakeholders.
However, in many rural communities, gender norms shape how household members manage and share livestock and their benefits, often in ways that disadvantage women and girls. For example, women graze small livestock species, while men own larger, more profitable animals. Cultural norms can also forbid women from farm labor and may limit their access to land and fodder, restricting their ability to develop their livestock holdings and farm independently.
Dr. Dina Najjar, ICARDA’s Gender Scientist, has published a paper that explores women’s experiences with livestock-based livelihoods and technological innovations by studying 73 village cases from 13 countries. The study follows a gender empowerment framework that analyzes the recognition of women as livestock keepers, their access to resources and opportunities, and their ability to make decisions.
Related news
-
Multifunctional Landscapes that Incentivize Green Innovations and Improve Livelihoods
Multifunctional Landscapes Science Program10.07.25-
Biodiversity
-
Environmental health
-
Poverty reduction, livelihoods & jobs
Thriving Landscapes, Vibrant Futures Blog Series #2 Sustainable landscape transformation will not …
Read more -
-
PABRA and Rwanda’s Agriculture Ministry chart new path for bean value chain transformation at ACAT Conference
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)30.06.25-
Nutrition, health & food security
-
Poverty reduction, livelihoods & jobs
As Rwanda continues efforts towards eradicating malnutrition, the bean crop continues to be a symbol…
Read more -
-
Harnessing digital tools in securing soil health for Africa’s food future
Sehlule Muzata27.06.25-
Climate adaptation & mitigation
-
Environmental health
-
Nutrition, health & food security
-
Poverty reduction, livelihoods & jobs
Nairobi, 27 June 2025 (IITA) - As it marks its first anniversary, the Regional Hub…
Read more -