Gender disparities in post-war food insecurity among urban households in Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract The conflict from 2020 to 2022 in Tigray, Ethiopia, has deepened food insecurity, particularly for female-headed urban households, which are 24.33% more likely to experience hunger than those are led by men. Drawing on data from 740 urban households collected in mid-2024, this study used gender-disaggregated analysis to examine the patterns and drivers of food insecurity. Findings reveal that female-headed households face significantly higher vulnerability, with mild food insecurity exceeding that of men by 10.55 percentage points, largely due to unequal access to education, income, and humanitarian support. Conflict conditions widen this gender gap by 43.89%, whereas education and aid help reduce it by 23.33% and 19.38%, respectively. Despite these influences, nearly half of the disparity remains unexplained, indicating deeper structural inequalities. Marital status also plays a role, with divorced and widowed female-headed households experiencing higher food insecurity, and larger dependency ratios worsening this gap. Only 17% of urban households remain food secure, with female-headed households disproportionately affected by market disruptions and caregiving duties. These findings highlight the urgent need for policy action, including vocational training, tailored aid delivery, and microfinance opportunities, to address gendered vulnerability in conflict-affected urban areas and shift responses from short-term relief to long-term equity.