Men's contribution to the food and nutritional situation in the Tanzanian household

More is presently known about women's than men's role in food production and nutrition in Africa. The present article is an attempt to remedy this shortcoming. A special focus is put on the influence men exert through their labour and decision‐making on the household food situation. Findings from a study in a subsistence agricultural community in Tanzania give a differentiated picture compared to current literature. Most men put a substantial amount of labour into food production, but not as much as their wives, while a minority did almost nothing. When men worked hard in the fields, their wives worked hard too. Both men's and women's labour input in the field was important for household food availability. However, no direct relationship was found between men's work and child nutrition. In decision‐making women had a subordinate position and men were apt to favour cash above food. However, women usually had their way with men to insure that family food needs were met. The potential for improving women's situation by increasing men's contribution is discussed.

Key words:

• Women
• men
• Tanzania
• nutrition
• food production
• time‐allocation
• gender roles
• market‐orientation