Women in Asia countries are often characterized by high participation but limited decision-making in agricultural activities, despite their critical role in achieving the synergistic benefits of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). This study examines the association between women's intra-household decision-making regarding crop choice and household dietary diversity and its underlying mechanism mediated by crop diversity. Using primary data collected from 1133 households in vulnerable areas across five Asian countries, this study finds that both the proportion of women's independent intra-household decision-making regarding crop choice and household dietary diversity score (HDDS) are low in these areas. Poisson regression and Inverse Probability–Weighted Regression–Adjustment method reveal that the households with women's independent decision-making regarding crop choice have 0.250 points higher household dietary diversity score than those with men's independent decision-making.

Corresponding author: Dr. Bai Yunli (yunli.bai@unep-iemp.org)