Read at :
http://www.new-ag.info/pov/views.php?a=1796
Women produce more than 80 per cent of the food in Africa, yet they own only one per cent of the land. Improving women’s access to and control over land is seen by many as crucial to enhancing food and nutrition security, and reducing poverty. Having control over land would also strengthen the position of women within the household and promote other social and economic rights. Yet despite supportive laws in many countries, women often face discrimination, particularly when widowed or divorced.
At a symposium hosted by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) in Nairobi, Kenya, in September 2010, researchers from across Africa shared their findings and recommendations with policymakers. They also shared their thoughts with New Agriculturist on a number of key issues.
- Relationship between land rights, poverty and food security
- Political support for women’s land rights?
- Change through education and empowerment
- In whose interest?
- Law and enforcement
- Part of wider changes
Relationship between land rights, poverty and food security
Women are the ones who produce the food. Women are the ones who take care of feeding families. So there is an evident link between land rights for woman and food security in Africa.
Fatou Diop, Gender Resource Centre Coordinator, Gaston Berger University, Senegal
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