Analysis of Gender Dynamics and Their Socioeconomic Impact on Agricultural Diversification and Food Security Among Women in Bombali Shebora Chiefdom, Sierra Leone

Princess Sallay Kamara and Alusine Frederick Kargbo
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Princess Sallay Kamara: Department of Agriculture and food security, Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology, Makeni, Sierra Leone.
Alusine Frederick Kargbo: Research Scholar, Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, Kunming, PR China.

Journal of Scientific Reports, 2026, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-19

Abstract: This study investigates the critical linkages between gender dynamics, agricultural diversification, and household food security among women in Bombali Shebora Chiefdom, Sierra Leone. Despite women's vital role in agricultural production, they face significant gender-specific constraints that limit their productivity and resilience. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional design with data from 195 women farmers, this research employs multiple linear regression analysis to examine how access to land, credit, decision-making power, and participation in diversification strategies influence food security outcomes. The findings reveal that the regression model explains 74.6% of the variance in household food security (R² = 0.746), demonstrating the paramount importance of gender-sensitive factors. Agricultural diversification emerged as the strongest predictor (β = 0.377), followed closely by women's decision-making power (β = 0.326), while land access (β = 0.187) and credit access (β = 0.099) showed significant but comparatively weaker effects. The results underscore that women's empowerment serves as a crucial mediating mechanism through which resource access translates into improved food security. The study concludes that sustainable food security in post-conflict Sierra Leone requires targeted interventions that simultaneously address resource inequalities, strengthen women's decision-making agency, and promote gender-sensitive diversification strategies. These findings provide empirical evidence for policymakers and development practitioners seeking to enhance agricultural resilience through women-centered approaches.

Keywords: Gender dynamics; Agricultural diversification; Women empowerment; food security; Sierra Leone (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aif:report:v:11:y:2026:i:1:p:1-19

DOI: 10.58970/JSR.1151

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