What Explains Gender Gaps in Household Food Security? Evidence from Maize Farm Households in Southern Ethiopia

Abstract Using primary data collected from 560 farm households in Dawuro zone, southern Ethiopia, this study analyzes the gender gaps food security among male, female, and joint decision-making households. It examines factors inducing of those three categories. The results show that female have a lower probability ensuring food-security higher being transitionally chronically food-insecure. Joint showed falling into food-insecure category. decomposition significant between male terms food-secure, transitory food-insecure, Overall, both endowment return effects account for gaps; however, magnitude effect is than on transitory, Hence, there need policies not only ensure equal levels productive resources but also help build their capacity order to improve insecure situations.