POULTRY FARMING: AN ANTHROPOLOGICAL TAKE ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT THROUGH FOOD SECURITY AT HOUSEHOLD LEVEL

In developing countries poultry rearing has been practiced for many years. The study focused on revealing the level of empowerment of rural women and food assurance through poultry farming especially chicken. Data was collected from one hundred and one respondents through semi structured interview form Chakwal city. The research was conducted over a period of six weeks. The data was entered and then analyzed by correlating it through SPSS. Scope of the study was to observe the effects of poultry rearing on the life of rural women and the way it has contributed to her empowerment and food security at household level. It was observed that poultry rearing at household level has not much enhanced the overall household income yet plays role in contributing to sustain household economy. Besides being healthy and nutritious source of food, it somehow contributes in securing dietary needs especially of the young ones. It has made the women self-employed, more confident, socially empowered and more valued not only in their families but also in their community.