Rethinking Women’s Economic Empowerment in Displacement: Gender, Land Rights, and Resilience

In north-central Nigeria, the increasing influx of pastoralists, compounded by climate change and environmental degradation, has intensified disputes over land use, grazing rights, and resource access. These conflicts frequently result in the displacement of entire farming communities, disproportionately affecting women and children, who face heightened vulnerabilities in the wake of such disruptions. In this complex landscape, a profound narrative unfolds, one that intricately weaves together the fabric of women’s rights and land ownership. At the heart of this inquiry lies a recognition of the disproportionate burden borne by women, whose lives intersect with the frontlines of climate change-induced vulnerabilities, resource competition, and displacement.

 

The Gendered Dynamics of Land Ownership and Displacement

In regions like Benue State, land ownership and inheritance have traditionally been patriarchal, with males holding predominant roles in acquiring, managing, and passing down land. Before their displacement, agrarian women in Benue exhibited notable economic independence and strength. They were actively involved in various economic activities, such as agriculture, commerce, and transportation, which enhanced their financial capacity and supported their families and communities. However, displacement disrupted these livelihoods, forcing many women to abandon their sources of income. One participant’s account captures this experience:

“Yes, I experienced some losses in the course of the attack that brought me here. I am a farmer and sell yam. I also do business in melon and millet. In my store, I had more than 200 bags of millet and almost 1,500 yams. But I didn’t leave with any of them. No, I am not alone here. I am here with my sister. I don’t have a husband—he left me long ago.” (Displaced woman, age 42, IDI, Guma)

Women’s contributions to land acquisition are often unacknowledged, limiting their ability to assert ownership. Another participant’s narrative underscores this challenge:

“It is difficult for women to just own land; even if you buy it, somebody else will one day come and tell you that the land is theirs and belongs to their fathers. I joined money with my husband to buy the land, and we have used the land to farm lots of yam that we used to sell and make money before these attacks started and ruined everything.” (Displaced woman, age 54, KII, Gwer-West)

 

Barriers to Land Rights and Economic Empowerment

Despite formal legal provisions guaranteeing equal land rights, women in Nigeria continue to encounter significant obstacles. Violence and instability jeopardize not only their physical safety but also their ability to securely and independently own land and related resources.  In post-displacement contexts, these challenges are exacerbated by competing land claims and the breakdown of traditional land tenure systems. Such systemic barriers weaken women’s livelihood opportunities, increasing their vulnerability to economic hardship and hindering their ability to recover after displacement.

Gendered disparities in land ownership reflect broader structural inequalities. Even when women contribute financially to land purchases or work alongside their spouses, entrenched patriarchal systems still prevent them from asserting ownership or control. Joint ownership, while common, remains insufficient to ensure socio-economic empowerment for women, especially in conflict-affected regions where legal and cultural barriers persist. This reinforces cycles of dependency and marginalisation, as women’s rights to land often hinge on family ties and male relatives.

 

Differential Experiences of Men and Women

The study presented at the British Academy Socio-Legal Workshop 2024 highlights contrasting perspectives on land ownership among displaced men and women. For men, reclaiming ancestral lands is deeply tied to notions of heritage, identity, and resilience. Conversely, women often approach land reclamation with a pragmatic lens, recognising the risks, difficulties, and their marginalised position within customary systems. This dependency on male relatives to assert property rights compounds their challenges during resettlement and reintegration.

Interestingly, women may have access to certain resources or support networks unavailable to men, such as community-based assistance programs targeting women-headed households or initiatives aimed at economic empowerment. However, other factors like class, ethnicity, and age could limit and intersect these privileges, overshadowing any advantages and escalating women’s vulnerabilities.

 

Resilience and the Path to Empowerment

Despite these obstacles, displaced women exhibit remarkable resilience. Their participation in community-based assistance programs and economic initiatives evidently demonstrates their capacity to navigate patriarchal structures and rebuild livelihoods. Women’s participation in landed economic activities, whether individually or jointly with spouses or family members, sprouts from their agency and adaptability in the face of systemic barriers.

Cultural norms, patriarchal power structures, and customary inheritance practices often position women as secondary beneficiaries of land, contingent upon their relationships with male relatives. Yet, their ability to engage in agriculture, commerce, and other economic activities prior to displacement is also a reflection of their potential for economic empowerment. Conflict-induced displacement disrupts this potential, leading to losses in agricultural produce, livelihood assets, and sources of income. However, understanding these dynamics can inform more effective policies and interventions.

 

Moving Forward: Key Insights and Policy Implications

Two critical insights from this discussion:

1. The juxtaposition of male and female land ownership experiences reveals systemic inequities that should be addressed to foster gender equity.
2. Women’s resilience in navigating patriarchal norms simplifies the importance of targeted interventions to support their economic empowerment.

To address these issues, policies should:

• Reform land tenure systems to ensure equitable access for women.
• Expand community-based programs that support women’s economic recovery.
• Promote awareness and enforcement of women’s land rights through education and advocacy.

By amplifying the voices of displaced women and recognising their resilience, we can move toward sustainable solutions that prioritise gender equity and empowerment. Understanding the intersection of gendered land rights and displacement is essential for creating inclusive systems that enable displaced women to rebuild their lives with dignity and independence.