Interrogating Large-Scale Land Acquisitions and Their Implications for Women in Sub-Saharan Africa
Despite their critical role in promoting food security on the African continent, women continue to be marginalized in the distribution and allocation of land. The implications for both family survival and national food security are far-reaching. This project will support research to examine the conditions needed to allow women to become empowered to participate in large-scale land acquisition (LSLAs) processes. The objective is to help ensure that sub-Saharan Africa puts the legal and policy frameworks in place to foster better accountability and legitimacy on issues of land governance. African women must continue to engage in food crop farming to ensure food security for their families and for the continent at large. This is only possible if their right to land is protected, respected, and fulfilled. Previous studies have shown that African women's right to land is seriously under threat. Traditionally, African women have not had equal access to land and weak land laws and governance processes related to LSLAs are further eroding their access. We are now learning more about the impact of LSLAs on livelihoods in affected communities but little evidence exists on gender differences. Little is also known about how African women have developed strategies to foster more equitable land governance policies and practices to ensure greater accountability and transparency around LSLAs. This research seeks to fill these knowledge gaps. The ultimate goal of the project is to promote land governance policies that treat both genders more equally and that contribute to greater accountability and transparency around LSLAs. The research will be implemented in six communities in three African countries: Ghana, Cameroon, and Uganda. All three have experienced LSLAs. The research team will explore the following: -land acquisition processes; -winners and losers in these transactions; -ways in which the losers (specifically, rural African women) respond to their situation; and, -extent to which these responses are successful. The project will create gender-sensitive evidence-based knowledge that can be used by women, local communities, non-state actors, and public authorities to enhance accountability and legitimacy in LSLAs processes. It will also propose gender inclusive strategies for formal and informal institutions that will respect, promote, and protect women's rights in LSLAs processes.
Project ID
107590
Project Status
Completed
End Date
Duration
30 months
IDRC Officer
Ramata Thioune
Total Funding
CA$ 743,200.00
Location
Cameroon
Ghana
Uganda
Programs
Governance and Justice
Governance and Justice
Institution Country
Ghana
Project Leader
Dr Akosua Keseboa Darkwah
Institution
University of Ghana
Institution Website
Institution Country
Uganda
Project Leader
Dr Josephine Ahikire
Institution
Centre for Basic Research
Institution Website
Institution Country
Cameroon
Project Leader
Prof. Lotsmart Fonjong
Institution
University of Buea
Outputs
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Plantations, women, and food security in Africa : interrogating the investment pathway towards zero hunger in Cameroon and Ghana Article
The paper critically engages with sustainable development goal targets (SDG-2- Target 2.3; SDG-5) to examine how and why large-scale agricultural land acquisitions modify the social relations of women’s food access. The study draws from impacts of various plantation schemes in Cameroon and Ghana. It argues that the framing of the SDG-2 appears to co-exist alongside promotion of corporate-led agricultural investment. Plantations have been characterised by displacement, reduced food production and competition over land resources in rural contexts, where women bear the burden of social reproduction, particularly in subsistence and food provisioning for their households. Author(s): Fonjong, Lotsmart N., Gyapong, Adwoa Language: English |
Interrogating large-scale land acquisitions and land governance in Uganda : implications for women’s land rights Study
Land is a key asset for the livelihood of the majority of people and is a key ingredient in the constitution of rights, entitlement as well as identity. Land is a key economic resource for agricultural production and accumulation as well as a key signifier in the constitution of social status and citizenship. Equally so, land disputes tend to constitute the largest percentage of conflict at household and community levels. Because of the potentially volatile nature of land, its governance is a critical issue and land issues have been noted as some of those that demand careful management. Author(s): Ahikire, Josephine, Kanyesigye, Juliet, Nassali, Maria, Nakayi, Rose, Katushabe, Jovah, Pamara, Harriet Language: English |
Large scale land acquisitions and land governance in Uganda : implications for women’s land rights Brief
Over 90 percent of Uganda’s population is dependent almost exclusively on agriculture for their livelihood which makes land a vital resource and in the same vein land governance then becomes a significant political question. Over the last two decades or so, there has been a relative land rush by foreign companies as well as national companies and individual investors and speculators. The phenomenon of LSLA in Uganda is quietly on the rise. Author(s): Ahikire, Josephine, Nassali, Maria, Kanyesigye, Juliet, Nakayi, Rose, Pamara, Harriet, Katushabe, Jovah Language: English |
Large-scale land acquisition and its implications for women’s land rights in Cameroon Study
The study illustrates that small holders, particularly women, are increasingly losing farmland. It questions the social development impact of large-scale land acquisitions (LSLAs) in Cameroon in terms of better living standards and reduction of poverty. It also examines how and under what conditions women can be empowered to effectively engage with LSLAs to ensure that legal and policy frameworks foster better accountability and legitimacy in land governance. Most untitled land in Cameroon is now national land held under customary tenancy, without security. Field evidence suggests that most of the land acquired on national land was without due process. Author(s): Fonjong, Lotsmart, Sama-Lang, Irene, Fombe, Lawrence, Abonge, Christiana Language: English |
Interrogating large-scale land acquisition and its implications for women’s land rights in Cameroon, Ghana and Uganda Study
Large scale land acquisitions (LSLAs) impact women: loss of rights and access to land, water resources, fuel wood, adequate shelter, compensation and livelihood. The study looks at three sub-Saharan African countries (Cameroon, Ghana and Uganda) each having different land tenure regimes. Since land is vital for the survival of rural dwellers especially women, the study recommends that laws and policies governing the process of LSLA stress a mandatory participatory approach that includes women. There is urgent need to revalorize national laws to mainstream women’s land rights. Countries that attract foreign investors are often those with abundant land and/or weak governance. Author(s): Fonjong, Lotsmart Language: English |
Interrogating large scale land acquisition and its implications on women in sub-Saharan Africa : final synthesis report Study
The accountability mechanisms currently underpinning land transactions in Ghana are very weak. This study explores how land transactions are taking place at the local level, the repercussions for communities especially women, and the responses of women in particular and communities at large to changed circumstances of large-scale land acquisitions (LSLA). Discrimination against women in relation to land has its roots in customary laws and practices concerning the right of use, access to, and succession of land. How and under what conditions can women become empowered in LSLA to ensure better accountability and legitimacy in land governance in sub-Saharan Africa? Author(s): Darkwah, Akosua, Gyekye-Jandoh, Maame, Medie, Peace Language: English |