Mataka, TKaitibie, SimeonRatna, Nazmun2023-12-152023-11-1620232023-08-06https://hdl.handle.net/10182/16700Background: Over the years the Government of Malawi has launched several initiatives to improve food security in the country. Despite these efforts there have been limited improvements in food security, raising the spectre of persistently elevated levels of food insecurity. Efforts to reduce food insecurity may involve women who play a central role in the production, processing, preparation and control of vital livestock products for food security. However, women’s ability to achieve food security is limited by their lack of access to productive resources and limited ability to participate in decision-making. The main objective of this study is to estimate the impact of women’s empowerment in household livestock production and marketing decisions on household food security. Methods: This study uses data from a proportionate random sample of 400 households in two major livestock producing Extension Planning Areas in the Nsanje district to estimate the relationship between women’s empowerment and household food security in rural households in Malawi. Results: Tobit regression results show that the empowerment of women in the livestock sector, especially in decisions pertaining to agricultural production, nutrition, and income control, improves household food security. In addition, factors such as household income, household size, and the main occupation of the household head play a significant role in ensuring household food security. Conclusion: The results suggest that nutrition-sensitive programmes should target women’s agency in livestock production and nutrition decisions for improved food security among rural households in Malawi. As part of their food security strategy, Government of Malawi could develop programs to sensitize households on the importance of enhancing women’s agency in agriculture and nutrition decision-making, while also providing targeted income-support for women.14 pagesen© 2023 The Author(s).food securityMalawiTobit modelwomen’s empowerment in livestock indexJournal Article10.1186/s40066-023-00436-22048-7010ANZSRC::300606 Food sustainabilityANZSRC::400405 Food engineeringANZSRC::300406 Crop and pasture improvement (incl. selection and breeding)ANZSRC::300803 Horticultural crop improvement (incl. selection and breeding)ANZSRC::440301 Family and household studiesANZSRC::470205 Cultural studies of agriculture, food and wineANZSRC::3001 Agricultural biotechnologyANZSRC::3004 Crop and pasture productionhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Attribution