Gender and property rights in Africa: Some implications for rural strategies and natural resource management, IPRA Working Paper 3

The paper finds no substitute for property rights and gender-balanced policies as precursors for greatly reduced poverty, hunger, and general suffering.  It equally holds in doubt the ability of any organization, world or national, religious or secular, to accomplish as much in the absence of those basic and gender-balanced rights. Women’s predominant role in agriculture and family welfare and close interaction with the environment means that there are potential repercussions for Africa food sector and the environment in light of diminished rights to productive resources faced by women farmers. Policy that can accord women access and security to tenure, and improved access to market, education (particularly education of girls) and health while ensuring macroeconomic stability would be a win-win-win situation because it could lead to more growth, less poverty and improved resource management.