UNDERNUTRITION IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA - IS THERE A GENDER BIAS

Several studies have demonstrated inferior anthropometric status and higher mortality of girls than of boys in South Asia. This article shows the anthropometric status of females in Sub-Saharan Africa to be at par with or even better than that of males. The findings corroborate Boserup’s theory that a different organisation of agriculture gives rise to a different division of labour and a different evaluation of female and male children. In Sub-Saharan Africa, where female labour participation in the agricultural sector is comparatively high, polygamy, bride-wealth and early marriage of females are predominant customs, and the nutritional and health status of females vis-à-vis males is favourable. © 1990, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.