Livestock are key asset in rural areas.¹ In many countries, livestock are one of the most valuable agricultural assets and represent a source of income and wealth accumulation as well as an important source of resistance to shocks. Draught animals are also the main source of power for ploughing, land clearing and transportation in many regions. The evidence for livestock holdings points to systematic gender inequalities. The livestock holdings of female farmers are much smaller than those of men in all countries for which data are available, and women earn less than men from their livestock holdings. Women are also much less likely to own large animals, such as cattle and oxen, which are useful as draught animals.