Towards Gender-Equitable Land Policy: Moving Beyond Quotas to Meaningful Sustainable Agricultural Development


Sunday Idowu OGUNJIMI, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Gender equality is the fair treatment of women and men according to their respective needs. Gender-equitable land policies in different African countries move beyond the current quota system and achieve meaningful, sustainable agricultural development. The study evaluated the existing land policies in different African countries, assessed the impact of unequal access to land on womens ability to contribute to their countrys economic growth and development, and identified the opportunities for reform in order to promote gender-equitable land ownership. Based on an extensive review of the current literature on numerous local and international case studies, policymakers in African countries such as Nigeria, Somalia, Rwanda, and Tanzania, among others, have implemented a number of gender-based land policies, including quotas designed to increase womens access to land. However, unequal access to land ownership and usage is a major barrier to achieving sustainable agricultural development in different African countries. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of existing research on gender-equitable land policies in different African countries and also investigates the challenges faced in implementing such policies. Furthermore, the paper recommends a number of policies for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women to facilitate the implementation of gender-equitable land policies in African countries. It also provides insights into potential strategies for improving access to land through awareness campaigns on improved legal safeguards and increased land registration. Conclusively, the paper argued for a commitment to gender-equitable land policies as a means of promoting sustainable agricultural development in different African countries.

Non-presenting authors: Mohamed Hassan Abdirahman, Kamil Institution University, Somalia; Abiodun Ajala, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

This paper will be presented at the following session: