College of Agriculture, Food and Climate Science

Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology

Course Title: Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture(NaRM442)

By: Eshetie Gelagay (MSc in Food Process Engineering)

Lecture IV

By : Eshetie Gelagay, Department of FSPT, Injibara University

Saturday, April 5, 2025 1
 Chapter 4

GENDER AND NUTRITION

By : Eshetie Gelagay,Department of FSPT, Injibara University

Saturday, April 5, 2025 2
 4.2. Basic Gender-Related Terminologies
Gender:
 Refers to socially constructed roles, responsibilities, and
expectations assigned to men and women in a given culture or
location.
 These roles are learned, vary across cultures, and change over
time.
 Gender is not synonymous with women; it includes the needs
of girls, boys, men, and women in all interventions.
Sex:
 Refers to biological attributes that identify a person as male or
female.
 These attributes are permanent, universal, and unchangeable.

By : Eshetie Gelagay,Department of FSPT, Injibara University

Saturday, April 5, 2025 3
 Table 4.1: Basic Differences Between Gender and Sex

Sex Gender
Natural attribute identifying Social attribute prescribing roles,
men and women. responsibilities, and behaviors.
Varies by culture, education, and
Universal and permanent.
development.
Difficult to change. Dynamic and changeable over time.

By : Eshetie Gelagay,Department of FSPT, Injibara University

Saturday, April 5, 2025 4
 Gender Roles:
•Roles expected of men and women in society, defined by their
gender.
•These roles are influenced by family, schools, media, and
society.
•Gender norms dictate what is considered "normal" behavior for
men and women.
Categories of Gender Roles:
1.Productive Role: Tasks contributing to the economic welfare
of the household (e.g., farming, trading).
2.Reproductive Role: Activities related to household care
(e.g., child care, cooking, cleaning).
3.Community Management Role: Activities ensuring social
cohesion (e.g., community groups, mutual help).

By : Eshetie Gelagay,Department of FSPT, Injibara University

Saturday, April 5, 2025 5
 Gender Equality:
•Equal opportunities, resources, rights, and access to goods and
services for women, men, boys, and girls.
•Equal sharing of workloads and responsibilities within
households and communities.
Gender Equity:
•Fair treatment by gender, which may involve equal or different
but equivalent treatment in terms of rights, benefits, and
opportunities.
Access to Resources:
•Opportunity to use resources without authority over their
exploitation or output.
Control Over Resources:
•Full rights
Gender to use and decide on the exploitation and output of
Disparity:
resources.
•Inequality between men and women in access to resources, benefits, or
opportunities.
Gender Sensitive:
•Awareness of the different needs, roles, and responsibilities of men and women in
accessing and benefiting from resources. By : Eshetie Gelagay,Department of FSPT, Injibara University
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 By : Eshetie Gelagay,Department of FSPT, Injibara University
Saturday, April 5, 2025 7
4.3. Gender Roles in Food Production and Consumption
Gender relations influence food production and consumption through:
1.Division of Labor: Men and women often have distinct roles in agriculture and
household tasks.
2.Access and Control Over Resources: Men typically have greater control over
productive resources like land and income.
3.Decision-Making: Men often dominate decisions on food production and
consumption.
4.Norms and Values: Cultural norms shape roles, access, and decision-making.
Key Considerations:
•Gender relations are dynamic and influenced by interventions, policies, and societal
changes.
By : Eshetie Gelagay,Department of FSPT, Injibara University
•A gender lens helps analyze roles, access, decision-making, and norms at household
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 4.4. Gender Equality and Equity for Nutrition
 Promoting gender equality and equity in nutrition-sensitive agriculture involves
addressing social, economic, and biological differences between men and
women.
 Inequities in access to and control of resources hinder women’s ability to provide
food, care, and health services for their families.
Key Points:
•Gender equality contributes to economic growth and food security.
•Reducing gender inequality improves agricultural output, child education, health,
and household food security.
•Women’s contributions to food production and care are critical for community
development.
By : Eshetie Gelagay,Department of FSPT, Injibara University
Saturday, April 5, 2025 9
 4.5. Empowering Women in Food Production and Consumption
Women’s empowerment improves their social, economic, political, and
legal strength, enabling them to gain control over their lives. This
empowerment enhances household nutrition through:
1.Income Use: Women’s control over income improves food and non-
food expenditures.
2.Care Practices: Empowered women provide better care for
themselves and their families.
3.Energy Expenditure: Reducing women’s workloads improves their
health and nutrition.

By : Eshetie Gelagay,Department of FSPT, Injibara University

Saturday, April 5, 2025 10
 Strategies for Empowering Women:
1.Access and Control Over Assets:
1. Focus on food crops grown by women.
2. Secure land rights for women.
3. Increase access to water, credit, and extension services.
4. Provide social protection measures like cash transfers and child
care services.
2.Labor, Time, and Energy-Saving Technologies:
1. Promote higher-yielding crops, draft animals, and conservation
agriculture.
2. Introduce post-harvest technologies like dehusking machines.
3. Invest in water-source construction and fuel-efficient stoves.
3.Involvement of Men in Feeding and Caring Practices:
1. Encourage men to participate in childcare and feeding.
2. Highlight men’s role in providing nutritious food for their
families.

By : Eshetie Gelagay,Department of FSPT, Injibara University

Saturday, April 5, 2025 11
 Involvement of Men in Nutrition and Care
•Father’s Role in Child Health Care: Men’s involvement in childcare
and nutrition is crucial for better health outcomes.
•Their sense of responsibility as heads of the household can motivate
improved child nutrition and well-being.

By : Eshetie Gelagay,Department of FSPT, Injibara University

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