Status and Determinants of Female‐Headed Households' Food Security: The Case of Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Despite growing government attention to food insecurity among female‐headed households in Ethiopia over the past decades, chronic food insecurity and undernourishment persist, particularly in Bahir Dar, the focus of this study. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the issues related to food insecurity in these households for policy implications. The primary objective of this study was to identify the key determinants that affect food security among female‐headed households in urban settings. To achieve this objective, both primary and secondary data sources were utilized for the study. Primary data were gathered through key informant interviews, focus group discussions and household surveys. Both descriptive and inferential statistical methods were employed to analyse the collected data. Specifically, the study utilized the binary logistic regression model and the Foster–Greer–Thorbecke (FGT) index to assess food insecurity levels. The findings of FGT revealed alarming rates of food insecurity, with an incidence of 87.8%, a depth of 42.8% and a severity of 23%. Additionally, the average kilocalorie consumption for food‐insecure female‐headed households ranged from 156.00 to 2800.00 kcal/adult equivalent/day, highlighting significant nutritional deficiencies. The study reported that the average monthly income and expenditure for these households were 2198 and 1692 ETB, respectively, underscoring the financial constraints they face. Binary logistic regression revealed that marital status, employment type, house ownership, monthly income and expenditure significantly predicted food security in female‐headed households, with results statistically significant at p < 0.05. The study recommended that the government has to expand social safety nets to include cash transfers or food vouchers, ensuring stable food sources. Additionally, develop gender‐sensitive policies that address the specific challenges these households face to attain food security.