The impact of international remittances on food security in urban Zimbabwe: does gender of the household head matter?

This study investigates the potential of international remittances to alleviate food insecurity in urban Zimbabwe. It also examines whether gender-based differences exist in the likelihood of receiving remittances and in the effects of those remittances on household food security. The analysis yields three key findings. First, female-headed households are, ceteris paribus, more likely to receive international remittances than male-headed households. Second, receipt of international remittances is associated with improved household food security. Third, despite differences in remittance receipt, there is no statistically significant gender heterogeneity in the effect of international remittances on food security.