Rural women's access to land in sub-Saharan Africa and implications for meeting the Millennium Development Goals

Increasingly, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have been critiqued in relation to the neglect of social inequalities and for reinforcing the subordinate position of women. The neglect extends to concerns of current development agendas that tend to undermine women's empowerment and reinforce gender inequalities. Southern-based countries' priorities have been often defined around the need to meet basic necessities and national debt and the MDGs may require much activism on the ground to ensure that gender equality is addressed. This Article examines the implications of pervasive and persistent gender inequalities in access to and control over land resources in rural sub-Saharan Africa in relation to the MDGs. In particular, widespread patriarchal practices that prevent women's access to and control over land will result in MDG 3, the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women, being undermined. Land access and rights are critical in relation to meaningfully empowering women (economically, socially and politically) and to address practical and strategic gender needs. This Article examines impacts of unequal access to land, an important socio-economic and political resource, on MDGs 1 (the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger), 2 (achieving universal primary education) and 7 (ensuring environmental sustainability). Attention to linkages with other MDGs is a contribution to the literature which tends to focus almost exclusively on women's empowerment (MDG 3). Additionally, the Article critically examines policy gaps and provides recommendations to advocate for strengthening women's land rights and creating conditions for broadening their access to land.