Research into Men’s Perceptions of their Roles and Involvement in Household Decisions around Food in Rural Bangladesh
Like other INGENAES activities, this research activity aims toward the larger goal of building genderresponsive agricultural extension and advisory services and as a result, improving women farmers’ agricultural productivity and household nutrition. This particular project expanded the overall INGENAES focus by bringing men into the picture, specifically, looking at men’s perspective on their roles in meeting household nutritional needs and their preferences for nutrition-sensitive extension approaches. In addition, this project sought out information from men and women about gender roles and particularly transformations in gender roles taking place in rural villages that might affect nutritional outcomes. This activity also expanded the INGENAES focus by including the older generation of women, who traditionally have overseen their daughter-in-law’s food preparation and distribution, and thus have a tremendous influence on family members’ nutrition. Common wisdom is that older women enforce traditional gender-based practices such as distributing more food to men while limiting women’s share, even when they are pregnant and breastfeeding.
Objective
The objective of this trip was to conduct interviews to gather information about men’s and women’s perceptions of men’s roles and involvement in household decisions around food. The project is directed at the following end goal question: How can men be most effectively enabled to support the nutritional needs of their families and what is the role of Extension in this? This was a small-scale activity carried out with INGENAES partners Caritas and Catholic Relief Services (CRS), in two areas where Caritas has agricultural outreach projects supported by CRS. This report presents background on men’s and older women’s expected roles in decision making, general study results, and recommendations for follow up work.
Related Resources
Research into Men’s Perceptions of their Roles and Involvement in Household Decisions around Food in Rural Bangladesh