Review on Gender and Poverty, Gender Inequality in Land Tenure, Violence Against Woman and Women Empowerment Analysis: Evidence in Benin with Survey Data

Abstract

Inequalities in opportunities and rights between women and men have occupied many researchers over the last two decades. This study reviews literature on (i) gender and poverty, (ii) inequalities in land rights between women and men and their implications for the economic and social development of rural areas in developing countries, and (iii) violence against women in the rural population. World Bank survey data (3507 rural households) were used to analyze women's perceptions of agricultural land rights and violence against women in Benin. The Poisson model is adopted to investigate the determinants of physical violence against women in rural households in Benin. The results show that women are more vulnerable to poverty than men. Women are disadvantaged in access to productive assets such as access to credit and arable land, education, labor market, control of incomes earned in households, and are excluded in decision-making in households and institutions. The results also highlight that women in rural areas do not have access to land and do not participate in land management decisions. Based on the Poisson model, the results show that restrictions imposed on women by their spouses significantly increase the number of physical violence against women in households. Moreover, the results suggest also that an increase in the economic value of assets owned by women significantly reduces the incidence of physical violence against women in households. These results suggest that implementing development actions to increase incomes and empowerment women helps to reduce poverty, increases food security, reduces violence against women, and improves household welfare.

Does experience with agricultural loans improve farmers' well-being? Evidence from Benin

“…For women borrowers, the gain was nearly ten times higher (3,172,000 FCFA). In Benin, women are more vulnerable to poverty than men (Atozou et al, 2017), and these results indicate that credit has the potential to alleviate it. This result validates the hypothesis underlying development strategies relying on gendered loan access.…”

Safety of Women and Girls Against Violence and Sexual Harassment in Public Spaces in Chitungwiza, Harare, Zimbabwe

“…When faced with a situation that one cannot refer effectively to someone, also not expect to receive one"s desired results, people tend to stand up for and defend themselves with possible escalation of violence or stemming of the menace. However, one sure way of eradicating women and girls harassment is through eradicating poverty, reducing gender inequality, increasing empowerment [27].…”

Economic Factors Determining Poverty Levels among Women in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

“…There is gender inequality according to World Development Report, (2012) shows that Women were treated differently from their male counterpart in areas such as education, job, or political responsibilities, with Cultural norms and values contributing to even gendered division of assets which favors men, (Atozou, et al, 2017;Duflo, 2012). According to UNICEF (2020), inadequate and overcrowded housing, the risk of forced eviction due to land disputes, failure to pay rent or rates, insufficient safety measures, limited availability of clean water, inadequate waste management, limited access to healthcare services, lack of emergency assistance and law enforcement, and challenges in accessing high-quality government schools are some of primary factors contributing to urban poverty (Ryan, 2012;Otieno, 2020;Falola et al, 2020).…”