Food Security and Coping Strategies Among Female-Headed Households in Ebonyi State

This study examines food security status and coping strategies employed by female-headed households in Ebonyi State, South East Nigeria. Female-headed households are disproportionately vulnerable to food insecurity due to restricted land access, limited financial resources, and reduced social capital. The study adopts a descriptive survey design, targeting 260 female household heads in Abakaliki and Ezza North local government areas. Data were collected using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale and a structured questionnaire on coping strategies. Objectives include determining the food security status of respondents, identifying the coping strategies adopted during periods of food scarcity, and examining the relationship between household characteristics and food security outcomes. Recent literature from Ebonyi State documents high rates of food insecurity among female-headed households linked to agricultural dependency and limited off-farm income sources. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, and regression analysis. The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework anchors the study, integrating human, social, financial, physical, and natural capital dimensions of household resilience. Findings are anticipated to reveal high food insecurity prevalence and reliance on negative coping strategies including meal skipping and asset depletion. Recommendations are directed at the Ebonyi State Ministry of Agriculture, NGOs, and Home Economics educators to support female farmer collectives and food production training programmes. Keywords: food security, female-headed households, coping strategies, food insecurity, Ebonyi State.