In most underdeveloped nations, women have very limited access to and control over productive resources and usually these limitations are overlooked. The study examined women's level of empowerment in agriculture and the roles of women in men household and women in women-led families in Meskan Woreda, Gurage Zone, Ethiopia. This study measures the level of female farmers empowerment in agricultural index in both women in men household and women-led households. A multi-stage purposive sampling technique used to select farmers and kebeles. A total of 140 sampled households, comprising 90 women in men households and 50 female-headed households were chosen. The survey data were analyzed using STATA with descriptive statistics and empowerment index. The findings reveal that in the Meskan district, 77% of women lead and 56% of women in men household are disempowered. The finding from this analysis confirmed that the highest disparities were observed in women's empowerment in agricultural index were related to community leadership, control, and access to resources. On the other hand, women in men household experienced disempowerment mainly due to time poverty and a lack of community leadership. The analysis reveals significant disparities in the lack of power among men and women, highlighting the need for tailored programs and policies based on local contexts to empower both genders. While both case of women were facing disempowerment in various areas, women are more likely to be disempowered within households. In general, effective policy intervention by federal government and office of gender in target area should focus on improving the difference contributing to women's farmers disempowerment in agricultural index.

Keywords: Women's Empowerment, Leadership, women empowerment in agricultural index, women headed, women in male headed household