Addressing Gender Inequalities and Strengthening Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises to Improve Food and Nutrition Security
| dc.contributor.author | Opata, Patience | |
| dc.contributor.author | Ume, Chukwuma O. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Ezeibe, Adaku | |
| dc.contributor.author | Anugwa, Ifeoma Q. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Davidson, Gloria | |
| dc.contributor.author | Onogwu, Elizabeth | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-12-10T09:47:10Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-12-10T09:47:10Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Women play a critical yet undervalued role within small and medium-scale seafood and fruit enterprises in Nigeria. The involvement of women in these enterprises is crucial, as they frequently manage both the production and the processing aspects, which are pivotal for the sustainability of these businesses and the nutrition of communities. These disparities stem from unequal access to resources, decision-making authority, and market information, which are compounded by cultural norms and institutional biases. Recent studies have shown that when women control more household resources, the outcomes include improved household nutrition and health, higher levels of education among children, and overall enhanced household resilience against economic shocks. However, while women own 42.1% of micro-enterprises, their presence declines sharply to 13.6% in small enterprises and is nearly absent in medium enterprises. Although women make up almost 70% of the agricultural labour force, they receive less than 10% of available agricultural credit and control only about 14% of registered land, limiting their ability to expand businesses and access profitable markets. A 2024 study reveals that women-led businesses in Nigeria generate 34% less revenue than male-led counterparts due to these structural challenges. This imbalance exacerbates economic inequality and hinders Nigeria’s progress toward inclusive food system development and national food security. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://publication.aercafricalibrary.org/handle/123456789/4021 | |
| dc.publisher | AERC | |
| dc.title | Addressing Gender Inequalities and Strengthening Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises to Improve Food and Nutrition Security |