Asma Akter*, Sabina Yasmin

Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Asian University of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

* Corresponding author: asma_akter@aub.ac.bd

The livestock sector plays a significant role in contributing to the economic growth of Bangladesh, ensuring food security, and reducing poverty in rural areas. Most importantly, the participation of rural women in animal husbandry is of particular significance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that influence women's engagement in livestock rearing and its impact on living standards. Using primary data collected through interviews, descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted.Factor analysis revealed seven key factors significantly influenced by animal husbandry: asset creation, provision of essentials, organic fertilizer production, overall living standards improvement, financial autonomy, fuel generation, and children's education facilitation. In this study, multivariate analysis of variance confirmed the substantial impact of animal husbandry on these factors, emphasizing its role in enhancing the livelihoods of rural women.This study recommends transformative interventions to improve the living conditions of rural women in Bangladesh, thereby fostering broader economic development. The novelty of this research article lies in its detailed and methodologically rigorous analysis of the impact of livestock management on rural women's living standards in Bangladesh, employing advanced statistical techniques and offering practical policy recommendations. This comprehensive approach fills gaps in existing research and provides new insights into the socioeconomic benefits of livestock rearing for rural women.