• A UN report shows that the share of women among landowners has improved over time in most countries in sub–Saharan Africa
• But men have greater ownership of land than women in 40 of 46 countries.
Image: FILE
Kenya is doing better in legal and policy reforms that address women land rates, says a UN report.
The report by the Food and Agriculture Organization shows that Kenya has made progress in protection of women land rights issues.
The Status of Women in Agrifood Systems released this week showed that Kenya land reforms require joint registration.
“Constitution and land laws explicitly state that custom cannot be contrary to principles of non-discrimination or gender equality,” the report said.
It, however, noted that protections of women's land rights are low in 50 per cent of sub-Saharan African countries. Men have greater ownership of land than women in 40 of 46 countries, and 26 out of 31 countries in Africa.
The UN report indicated that the share of women among landowners has improved over time in most countries in sub–Saharan Africa.
The share has increased in Burundi, Malawi, Togo, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Nigeria, and a majority of people support women’s ownership of land in Africa.
“Almost 70 per cent of the respondents in Kenya believed that women should have the same rights as men to own and inherit land,” the report said.
The report further said most employment for women and men in low-income countries is in agrifood systems which is a driving force in economic growth.
“As economies develop, proportion of men and women working in agrifood systems falls, driven primarily by reduction in agricultural jobs.”
In Africa, more than 80 per cent of employed women and men work in vulnerable self-employment activities in agriculture. In off-farm agrifood systems employment in Africa, only 14 per cent of women work for wages or salary compared to 39 per cent of men.
Kenya country representative for FAO Carla Mucavi said agrifoods are a more important source of livelihood for women than men in many lo-income and middle-income countries.
“Despite this, the condition under which women participate and work in agrigood systems are often unequal. There is a gap in women accessing resources and assets as well as discriminatory social norms and policies which if not addressed may slow the realisation of food security,” she said.
Mucavi said that rural-urban migration in Kenya is on the rise, and this has destabilised agrifood systems and piled more stress on rural women.
She said out of a population of more than 51 million Kenyans, more than 32 per cent now live in cities and urban centres.
“This denies the agriculture sector much needed labour while stressing urban food systems due to an increase in the number of mouths to feed,” Mucavi said.
Despite these facts, 70-80 per cent of agricultural production in Kenya is done by women.
“Evidence shows that despite women substantial contribution to agrifood systems, there are barriers and challenges that need to be addressed. Key among them is limited access to land, secure tenure, production assets and fair wages,” she said.
Mucavi said in order to close the gender gap in agrifood systems, there is need for economic empowerment for women. This is in addition to enhancing their skills and knowledge, and ensuring equitable employment opportunities.
“Other crucial interventions include strengthening women leadership skills, improving social protection and access to productive services. Addressing gender based violence and social norms,” she added.