While there has been heated debate about the feminization of agriculture for some
years, increased climate change and civil conflicts appears to be contributing to its speed
and intensity. The reality is that currently it is largely women who produce staple foodgrains
and provide their household with sustainable food supplies. The approach of male
dominated food production sector and a traditional male role of chief breadwinner need
to be completely reviewed. In the context of rural Sudan, where the pervasiveness of
recurrent drought, socio-economic problems, conflicts, and males outmigration,
recognition of the role of women in food production sector are a particularly important
component of efforts in achieving household food security. The study aims to assess
women?s contribution to their household food supplies and nutrition status in rural Sudan
and thus valuing the potential role of women in achieving household food security.
Employing primary and secondary data, the study argues that rural women play a crucial
role in producing and providing food for their household consumption, thus, they
contribute more to achieve household food security, more likely than men. The study
indicates that in rural Sudan, women find ways to control their family nutrition status
through decisions over food preparation, processing and preservation, and the daily food
consumption quantity and quality. However, food security policy appears to be based on
a relatively narrow agronomic perspective. Given the significant role rural women play asproducer and provider of household food security, women are more likely to experience
more significant disadvantage consequences as a result of policies that ignore the gender
dimensions of the food sector. Since works of rural women remain mainly within the
subsistence and informal economy, they are continuing lack recognition and assistance.
Food insecurity and malnutrition are both consequences of failed policies. If this sounds
right, the critical question becomes: does it really matter whether food is produced and
provided by a man or a woman? The results from this study imply that, it does if
policymakers recognize that enhancing the capacity of food producer and provider is a
key part of achieving household food security and enhancing its food nutrition.
Therefore, understanding the actual contribution of rural men and women in household
food security will help in designing policies and programs to address the challenges of
food security. Food security policies and programs that do not account for gender
differences may have a detrimental impact on both women and men. Thus, the status of
women as food producer and provider can greatly be enhanced and empowered through
adoption of supportive national development policy, which include a gendered
component with the ultimate goal of empowering women and achieving gender equality.
Areas requiring further research were identified and prioritized.