The Paradox of Women Ownership of Land and Gender Equality in Sub-Saharan Africa: Channels and Obstacles

Abstract

ABSTRACT The goal of this article is to provide an in-depth analysis of the channels through which women acquire land in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the inherent obstacles and the relevance of land ownership to gender equality and women’s economic and social outcomes; and provide suggestions to inform effective gender-sensitive land policies. Emphasis of this study is on the inheritance channel through birthright with a conviction that it is socially and economically empowering. The descriptive analysis shows that the proportion of women who own land in SSA is 40% points lower than that of men regardless of how the land was acquired, whereby about 30% of women own land in SSA, compared to 70% of men. Nonetheless, women are more likely to acquire land either through purchase from the market system or marriage, and even then, their rights of ownership are usually very limited and precarious compared to the rights of men.