LONGWANI, Melisa2025-02-182025https://research.unilus.ac.zm/handle/123456789/369MASTER OF ARTS IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES - ThesisThis study is aimed at investigating the challenges faced by women livestock farmers in Mwembeshi Ward in Chilanga District, Lusaka Province, Zambia. This was a quantitative cross-sectional study. The sample size was 275. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data in an interview with the respondents. Data was entered in excel sheet and analyzed using SPSS version 13. Frequency tables and graphs were used to present and analyze the study results. The results revealed that most of the households kept poultry, followed by goats and pigs. The reasons for keeping these livestock where that they were easy to keep and that they had ready market. Majority of the women farmers expressed that they kept these animals for both home consumption and for commercial purposes. The main activities that they carried out in rearing these livestock at household level were cleaning piggery/poultry/barns and feeding the livestock. The main challenges that hindered women farmers from participating fully in livestock production were; spouse dominance, household chores, animal disease outbreaks, water shortages, inadequate knowledge on livestock production, inadequate financial assistance, and inaccessible markets. The study recommends the need to intensify extension programs especially on livestock production and making sure that women participate. The government needs to empower women through loans so that they can fully participate in livestock production as well as building better roads and market infrastructure for women to feel safe when trading. The government also needs to be having regular trainings and workshops for women entrepreneurs in livestock farming. Most importantly the government needs to develop policy to support women in livestock faming.enThesis