This paper assesses and examines gender disaggregated data on gender roles, participation and opportunities in livestock farming in Nepal. A survey based on structured questionnaires was conducted with randomly selected livestock farmers (n=107) in three districts in the Western Development Region of Nepal during the period of July to October 2006. In addition, key-informants (n=30), involved in livestock research and development were also interviewed. Published materials, official statistics and grey literatures were intensively reviewed. Data were analysed with the SPSS 15.0, using proportion, percentage and cross tabulation.

Among the livestock services activities lunched by the public organizations, women farmers’ involvement was found up to 45% in slow cash generating activities whereas their involvement in quick income generating activities, as compared to men, was least (8.6% only). Assessment of gender roles in daily livestock activities performed by the farmers revealed that women are mainly responsible for forage collection, cleaning the gutter and shed, and feeding animals whereas milking animals and selling of milk to provide for quick cash income was found to be men’s domain. Because of the strong position of men in decision making in the family, their participation was found up to 75% in farmers’ groups/organizations related to most important enterprises like cattle and buffaloes whereas women’s participation was found higher only in the case of small ruminants and poultry. Women have only a little opportunity (less than 5%) to assume higher positions denoting that their participation in such organizations was not more than the symbolic representation.

The paper concludes with the need of enabling policies for effective and long term gender promotion for the sustainable development of livestock sector in Nepal.