Gender Disparity in Land Ownership: An Invitation to National Underdevelopment

Abstract

Issues of gender inequalities and denial of women rights to land have attracted widespread attention both at national, regional and international levels. This will continue to remain in the public domain for as long as the land tenure system and reform programs of the third world nations support the existing system of land holding. The paper assessed the system of land ownership and the place of women in a traditional Idoma setting in order to examine the recent shift in land holding, the level of gender disparity as well as suggesting ways for achieving gender parity in land holding within the community. To achieve the aim set for the study, proper identification of land acquisition or ownership system in the communities was done, policy gaps identified and its impact examined. A survey of 145 respondents comprising of village heads/chiefs, family heads and women was embarked on. Findings of the research work revealed significant level of land ownership disparity between men and women in the area. Out of the total sampled population, 131 land holders were men, representing 90% of the sampled population while the remaining 10% are women. High rate of rural women illiteracy, finance, archaic custom/ inheritance system among other factors were identified to be the causative factors for gender disparity in land holding. The paper recommended gender parity through the promotion of gender inclusiveness and full participation in family and community decision making. This can be achieved through the overhauling of the existing custom, land policies and the reformation of land management system and development programs in the country.