Tropentag, September 16 - 18, 2015 in Berlin, Germany "Management of land use systems for enhanced food security – conflicts, controversies and resolutions"

Impact of Insufficient Land Rights to Women on Food Security in Bangladesh

¹Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Dept. of Project and Regional Planning, Germany
²Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Inst. of Rural Sociology and Extension, Germany

Abstract

In most of the developing countries, men are the land owners but women are mostly the land users. Although women comprises more than half of the agricultural labour force in Bangladesh, they are significantly less likely to own land those are poorer quality. Though evidence shows that women have a pivotal role in improving household food security, lack of land rights leaves many women almost entirely dependent on men in assuring food security. This paper examines the importance of women's land and property rights in the context of food security with considering 100 households from which 50 of the female members have their land ownership. It has been found that when they have secured property rights, they take decisions to cultivate land, have greater influence over household decisions that improve the food and nutrition needs. It has been found that families spend more on food, where women have land use right. Women with land title get better nutrition and enjoy better prenatal care. The HHs where the women have land rights consume more oil, pulses, vegetables, fish, egg, meat, fruits. On the contrary, the other types of households consume more rice only. It has also been clear that men mostly tend to plant crops with a high market value, whereas women tend to plant crops that can supplement a family's diet. Several reasons have lied behind the gender disparity of land ownership. Land is usually transferred though inheritance and it is almost always men who inherit the land. Sometimes, women are usually less able to purchase land. Where formal land and property laws do not discriminate against women, enforcement of those laws can be challenging. Enforcement institutions may be weak or reflect deeply rooted structural factors, social norms or traditional attitudes that suggest women should not be equal participants in ownership or control of land. As governments, the private sector, multilateral institutions, and international development organisations weigh the options for improving food security around the world, they must address one of the most promising elements – secure land rights for women.

Keywords: Food security, land rights, women

Contact Address: Sadika Haque, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Dept. of Project and Regional Planning, Senkenbergstr. 3, 35390 Giessen, Germany, e-mail: sadikahaqueyahoo.com