Constraints and strategies for women’s access to land in the regions of Maradi and Zinder (Niger)

摘要

Agro-silvo-pastoral productions occupy an important place in the economyof Niger. Agricultural activities, however, take place in difficult conditions, whichintensifies the issue of gender inequality. In the regions of Maradi and Zinder, thisinequality stems from a set of factors that disadvantage women. Yet, women con-tribute over 50% to meeting the household’s food needs in Niger. It is thereforeimportant to question what are the initiatives facilitating women’s access to andcontrol of land. Thus, one of the main challenges to women’s progress remains accessto land. This article analyzes women’s access to land-related strategies in the regionsof Maradi and Zinder. Two villages in the region of Maradi (Dan Dadi and Foura Guirké)and two others in the Zinder region (Garin Tamdji and Kaouri Touareg) served as datacollection sites. The qualitative method was the one used in data collection (throughthe semi-structured interviews) as well as in their analysis (through triangulation). Theoutcomeofthestudyprovidedresultsthatindicatethatsocio-culturalconstraints limittheinitiativesdevelopedtopromotewomen’saccesstoland.Thus,thesustainabilityofthecontroloflandbywomanpassesthroughacommunitysolutionandonthebasisofa consensus that will have a guarantee from the customary and administrativeauthorities to give it a certain legitimacy.