Women farmers’ access to marshlands for agricultural food production in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Land is a crucial resource in agricultural food production and serves as a symbol of wealth, power, and identity for rural communities. Yet, the persistent gender gap in accessing land and other productive resources has resulted in the poor performance of largely female-dominated smallholder agriculture. This study applies a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data from 232 participants to increase understanding of how women farmers access land for agricultural production in Kabare and Mulungwishi marshlands in the southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. We articulate our research around these questions: (i) How do women access land and perceive land tenure security in marshlands? (ii)What are the sources of inequality in land access patterns in marshlands, as perceived by women farmers? (iii) What factors affect women's desire to own or acquire farmland?The findings show significant differences in patterns of women's access to land, its size, and the perception of land tenure in the two regions. Women farmers interviewed are aware of gender inequalities firmly rooted in each area's customs and cultural norms, which tend to give men more opportunities to access and control family land resources.Interestingly, a considerable proportion of women (11%) often expressed a desire for land ownership, with marital status, household size, and income generated per cropping season being the significant predictors. The findings provide insights into women's pathways, determinants of acquiring land, and related challenges. Findings call for policy interventions to strengthen women's empowerment and prioritize their access to productive resources.