Gender Gap data with explanation

Gender differences in food and educational expenditures among the residential students at a public university in Bangladesh

Abstract

Gender disparity remains a persistent challenge that has been impeding the potential of approximately half of the world's population. This study aimed to investigate the gender disparities in food and educational expenditures among the undergraduate and graduate students residing in the residential halls at the University of Rajshahi in Bangladesh. Two hundred students were interviewed using convenience sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive and multivariate analysis (logistic regression) techniques. Results showed that the food expenditures of female students were significantly lower than those of male students, but the difference between the educational expenditures of female and male students was non-significant. The likelihood of male students spending a high amount of money on food expenditure was 115% higher than that of female students [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.15; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07–4.30]. Among the students of both sexes, the odds of spending a high amount on food and education of those from high-income families were, respectively, 272% [AOR: 3.72; CI: 1.30–8.90] and 409% [AOR: 5.09; CI: 2.06–12.32] higher than that of those from low-income families. Family income also showed positive associations with food expenditures among female and male students separately. Our findings indicate the existence of a significant gender difference in food expenditure among tertiary-level students in studied university. Efforts towards increasing population income and its proper distribution and increasing awareness about gender equity could be helpful in alleviating gender differences in Bangladesh.