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Masculinity, men and patriarchal issues aside: How do women’s actions impede women’s access to land? Matters arising from a peri-rural community in Nigeria

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  • Chigbu, Uchendu Eugene

Abstract

There have been many contributions to the understanding of how gender functions impede women’s access to land. However, particular frameworks concerning how women contribute to their lack of access to land have been widely ignored. This study investigates the frames that hinder women’s access to land due to (in)actions of women, in a peri-rural community in Nigeria. It is a qualitative study based on data from e-Focus Group Discussions with international researchers on gender and land; and key informants’ interviews with local women. The study argues that women do contribute to their lack of access to land by some of their actions or inactions. It questions the role women play in their land tenure status in customary land tenure. The study approaches its subject by problematising women’s land access beyond the concept of patriarchy and investigating how women’s lack of access to land is reinforced by not just men, but by women. The study reveals that even though in many instances patriarchy and customary laws play a significant role in women’s lack of access to land, there are cases where women contribute to their lack of access to land. Among other factors, it identifies ‘Brother complex’ and ‘self-hurt’ issues as some of the structures emanating from women which hinder their smooth access to land. The study is important and presents a useful initiative that can inform policies aimed at strengthening women’s land tenure. It contributes to a radical transformative agenda towards women’s access to land.

Suggested Citation

  • Chigbu, Uchendu Eugene, 2019. "Masculinity, men and patriarchal issues aside: How do women’s actions impede women’s access to land? Matters arising from a peri-rural community in Nigeria," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 39-48.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:lauspo:v:81:y:2019:i:c:p:39-48
    DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2018.10.033
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Chigbu, Uchendu Eugene, 2019. "Anatomy of women’s landlessness in the patrilineal customary land tenure systems of sub-Saharan Africa and a policy pathway," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 126-135.
    5. Uchendu Eugene Chigbu, 2020. "e-Tracking COVID-19 Disruptions to the Global Development Agenda on Land," International Journal of Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources, Juniper Publishers Inc., vol. 26(1), pages 1-9, September.
    6. Uchendu Eugene Chigbu & Gaynor Paradza & Walter Dachaga, 2019. "Differentiations in Women’s Land Tenure Experiences: Implications for Women’s Land Access and Tenure Security in Sub-Saharan Africa," Land, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-21, January.
    7. Uchendu Eugene Chigbu, 2019. "Visually Hypothesising in Scientific Paper Writing: Confirming and Refuting Qualitative Research Hypotheses Using Diagrams," Publications, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-18, March.
    8. Chiwuzie Augustina & Daniel Ibrahim Dabara & Adebayo Olusegun Ogunba & Olusegun Joseph Omotehinshe, 2021. "Sustainable Land and Food Security in Female-Led Agrarian Households of Tula, Nigeria," AfRES 2021-020, African Real Estate Society (AfRES).
    9. Mengesha, Ayelech Kidie & Damyanovic, Doris & Mansberger, Reinfried & Agegnehu, Sayeh Kassaw & Stoeglehner, Gernot, 2021. "Reducing gender inequalities through land titling? The case of Gozamin Woreda," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    10. Uchendu Eugene Chigbu & Tobias Bendzko & Menare Royal Mabakeng & Elias Danyi Kuusaana & Derek Osei Tutu, 2021. "Fit-for-Purpose Land Administration from Theory to Practice: Three Demonstrative Case Studies of Local Land Administration Initiatives in Africa," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-24, May.
    11. Odjuvwuederhie Emmanuel Inoni & Bayero Sule Gani & Elizabeth Sabo, 2021. "Drivers of Crop Diversification: Evidence from Smallholder Farmers in Delta State Nigeria," Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, Mendel University Press, vol. 69(1), pages 59-70.
    12. Montcho, Marthe & Padonou, Elie A. & Montcho, Marlise & Mutua, Meshack N. & Bayen, Phillip, 2023. "Impact of land tenure on livelihoods of women livestock-keepers in Burkina Faso," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    13. Ghimire, Puspa Raj & Devkota, Niranjan & Marasini, Tek & Khanal, Ghanashyan & Deuja, Jagat & Khadka, Umesh, 2024. "Does joint land ownership empower rural women socio-economically? Evidence from Eastern Nepal," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    14. Cuong Viet Nguyen, 2022. "The Impact of Joint Land Titling: Evidence from Vietnam," European Journal of Business Science and Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Faculty of Business and Economics, vol. 8(2), pages 127-142.
    15. Adewunmi, Yewande & Chigbu, Uchendu Eugene & Mwando, Sam & Kahireke, Uaurika, 2023. "Entrepreneurship role in the co-production of public services in informal settlements − A scoping review," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    16. Augustina Chiwuzie & Olusegun Adebayo Ogunba & Daniel Ibrahim Dabara, 2021. "Gender Land Right Issues under the Customary System of Ile-Ife, Nigeria," AfRES 2021-021, African Real Estate Society (AfRES).
    17. Azadi, Hossein, 2020. "Monitoring land governance: Understanding roots and shoots," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
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    19. Daniel, Desiree & Sutherland, Michael & Ifejika Speranza, Chinwe, 2019. "The role of tenure documents for livelihood resilience in Trinidad and Tobago," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).

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