Gender Disparities in Land Rights Documentation Among Rural Women Farmers in Benin City, Nigeria: A Policy Analysis

In Benin City, Nigeria, women farmers face significant gender disparities in land rights documentation processes, hindering their economic empowerment and agricultural productivity. The analysis employs a mixed-methods approach, including qualitative interviews with 50 women farmers and quantitative data from 20 local government areas' records of land transactions over the past five years. Policy documents were also reviewed for policy coherence and implementation effectiveness. Women farmers in Benin City reported facing barriers such as lack of documentation support services, legal gender biases, and procedural delays that prevent them from fully realising their property rights. Documentation processes are often inefficiently designed to cater to rural contexts. Current policies are insufficient in addressing the specific needs of rural women farmers, leading to persistent disparities in land rights documentation outcomes. Recommendations include enhancing policy support services for women farmers, streamlining documentation procedures, and incorporating gender-sensitive design elements into existing policies. Additionally, a targeted campaign should be launched to educate these communities about their legal rights and available resources.