Gendered Decision-Making Patterns and Food Security at the Household Level in Masaba South Sub-County, Kenya

Intra-household gender power relations shape agricultural decisions, resource control, and nutrition outcomes in smallholder farming systems. This study examined associations between decision-making authority, division of labour, and control over income and expenditure with household food security in Masaba South Sub-County, Kisii County, Kenya. Using a convergent parallel mixed-methods approach, the study combined a household survey of 133 respondents and 8 key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and Pearson correlations, while qualitative data were thematically analysed and triangulated with survey findings. The results revealed widespread recognition of unequal gender power dynamics, with mean agreement scores on Likert-scale items ranging from 3.54 to 4.23. The strongest consensus was on women’s triple role burden (Mean = 4.23). Correlation analysis showed significant positive associations between women’s agency in decision-making (r = 0.236, p = 0.006), equitable food distribution (r = 0.236, p = 0.006), perceived power impact (r = 0.320, p < 0.001), and overall power relations (r = 0.264, p = 0.002) with the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS). Key informant interviews largely confirmed these patterns, highlighting how male dominance in crop choice and income control often sidelines women’s knowledge of household nutritional needs. Households with greater female participation in decision-making tended to show higher dietary diversity. The findings point to the potential value of interventions that promote joint decision-making and strengthen women’s economic empowerment. The study recommends the implementation of community-based programs that enhance women’s participation in household decision-making and resource control while actively engaging men and community leaders to challenge harmful patriarchal norms. Policymakers and development partners should integrate gender-responsive approaches into food security initiatives, including routine collection of sex-disaggregated data and inclusive policymaking. Additionally, gender-sensitive, nutrition-sensitive extension services should be designed using accessible methods such as farmer field schools and digital tools, complemented by market linkages, credit access, post-harvest technologies, and climate-resilient practices, with continuous monitoring of gender-disaggregated outcomes.