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The Association Between Women's Education and Employment and Household Food Security in Afghanistan

Author

Listed:
  • Yiqi Zhu

    (Washington University in St. Louis
    Adelphi University)

  • M. Rahim Azami

    (Aga Khan Foundation)

  • Monib Fazal

    (The Knowledge House for Development)

  • Dauod Khuram

    (The Knowledge House for Development)

  • Lora Iannotti

    (Washington University in St. Louis)

  • Ganesh Babulal

    (Washington University in St. Louis)

  • Jean-Francois Trani

    (Washington University in St. Louis)

Abstract

Food insecurity persists in Afghanistan, with 24 million Afghans lacking sufficient food in 2022. Malnourishment affects over 7 million children and mothers (WFP in Afghan Emergency. Retrieved 1.30 from https://www.wfp.org/emergencies/afghanistan-emergency ). Women's rights have been severely undermined by the Taliban regime, with bans on education and employment restrictions. Using data from the 2017 Afghanistan Food Security Survey (n = 5027 households), we examined the relationship between women's education, employment, and household food security. Results indicate that households where both men and women have formal education were 52% more likely to be food secure and 50% more likely to have dietary diversity compared to a household lacking anyone with formal education. Women play a vital role in increasing household income and distributing resources towards improving dietary diversity. The rollback and censorship of women's rights under the current regime is bound to exacerbate the catastrophic rates of food insecurity, further worsening the well-being of all Afghans.

Suggested Citation

  • Yiqi Zhu & M. Rahim Azami & Monib Fazal & Dauod Khuram & Lora Iannotti & Ganesh Babulal & Jean-Francois Trani, 2024. "The Association Between Women's Education and Employment and Household Food Security in Afghanistan," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 36(4), pages 841-867, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:eurjdr:v:36:y:2024:i:4:d:10.1057_s41287-023-00614-9
    DOI: 10.1057/s41287-023-00614-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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