Women Access to Land and Legal Security of Tenure in Ohafia Abia State Nigeria

Abstract

Across the developing world, rural women suffer widespread gender-based discrimination in laws, customs and practices which cause severe inequalities in their ability to access, control, own and use land and limit their participation in decision-making at all levels of land governance. Most literature on land tenure in sub-Saharan Africa has presented women as a homogenous group. This study uses cases from Ohafia to show that women have differentiated problems, needs, and statuses in their quest for land access and tenure security. Ohafia in Abia State, Nigeria was the study area. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods including household surveys, semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews and observations. The experience of women revolved around fear of been cheated (19.7%), need a supporting hand (46.8%) and need approval from their husband (33.6%). The consequences of perceived exclusion and/or marginalization of women as revealed by women owner-occupiers are women subordination (70.2%) and marginalization of widow (29.8%). The study recommends the promotion of gender integration at all levels of projects and programmes by integrating gender perspectives in all future activities as it is required, for example, the FAO Gender Plan of Action and the UNCHS. To ensure gender inclusiveness in project and programme planning and in policy and decision-making, aiming towards a balanced representation of men and women in these bodies. Keywords: Land, Land Rights, Land Tenure, Women, Legal Security of Tenure