The contribution of livestock intervention on gender equality, social integration, and women’s empowerment in Bangladesh

Abstract Livestock interventions in low and middle-income countries can empower women and enhance household social inclusion and gender equality. However, the optimal conditions for these outcomes are not well understood. This study investigates the effects of livestock interventions on gender dynamics, social inclusion, and women's economic empowerment in northwest Bangladesh. Convenience sampling techniques were applied to obtain a total of 300 respondents through a pre-determined survey questionnaire in 2023–2024 from northwest districts of Bangladesh. Descriptive and inferential statistics, along with PLS-SEM, revealed significant positive associations between livestock interventions and gender equality, social inclusion, and women's empowerment. Effective interventions should focus on capacity building, resource access, financial services, and market access. The study emphasizes the importance of context-specific approaches, taking into consideration laws, cultural norms, gender roles, resource access, and decision-making patterns. Recommendations include tailored capacity building and access to resources and markets to foster gender equality and empowerment in livestock farming households.