Agriculture in Benin: Improving Access for Women and Youth to Land
In Benin, women and youth face significant challenges in accessing agricultural land despite legal rights, with advocacy efforts underway to improve the situation.
In Benin, access to agricultural land remains a significant challenge for women and young people. Although Béninoises have the legal right to inherit land just like men, in practice, these rights are rarely honored, often leaving women without secure access to necessary resources. Young individuals also encounter substantial barriers when attempting to take over land for cultivation, further complicating the agricultural landscape in the country. Despite this challenging environment, there are existing solutions and ongoing advocacy efforts to enhance access to land for these marginalized groups.
The management and allocation of land in Benin are primarily in the hands of the state and local leaders, who often favor presumed male landowners when distributing agricultural land. This practice not only reinforces gender biases but also impacts women's financial opportunities. The inability of women to secure land titles isolates them from essential financing options. As Marie Aguewé, the president of the National Association of Women Farmers in Benin (Anaf-Bénin), articulated, without land as collateral, women are unable to seek financing to support their agricultural endeavors, thus perpetuating a cycle of economic disparity.
In light of these obstacles, advocacy groups are increasingly vocal about the necessity for reform in land rights policies to promote gender equality and enhance the role of youth in agriculture. There is a growing recognition that equitable access to land is critical for the sustainable development of the agricultural sector in Benin. The push for reform aims to create a more inclusive system that benefits not just women and youth, but the entire agricultural community, ultimately leading to improved food security and economic resilience in the region.