Women’s Access to Land and its Implications for Empowerment in Nigeria: The Case of Ilorin East Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

There is a gender gap observed in access, ownership and control of land and other productive resources which is not in favor of women in Nigeria. While most studies on access to land resource have related it to food security, this study however examined its implications for the empowerment of women in the study area. Multistage sampling technique was used to obtain a sample of 120 households from the population. Questionnaires were used to elicit information from the sample, and its administration was interactive. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between women's empowerment and access, control, and ownership of land resource. The regression analysis showed that land ownership, rights to land, and decision-making power over land had significant effects on the empowerment status. The study recommends that laws that will ensure and protect women's access and rights to land should be put in place and such laws should be properly monitored and evaluated. Keywords: Access to Land, Women’s Empowerment, Land Ownership, control of land Proceedings Reference