Gender Perspective in Rural Land Access & Control: The Case of Bunyala District, Western Kenya

ABSTRACT This research arose from the popular assumptions that rural women contribute greatly to the economy through agricultural activities but have little access and control to land. Thus the study attempted to empirically examine the issue of gender perspective in rural land access and control. The study was specifically designed to examine the factors that determine one’s access to ownership and control over rural land in Bunyala district, western Kenya, to examine the major gender roles on rural land access and control, to discuss the influence of the customary perceptions on rural land access and control and to come up with possible suggestions for inequality to gender access and control over rural land access and control. The study adopted descriptive research design that manifested both qualitatively and quantitatively. The population sample was 388 from Bunyala East, West and North. ~Respondents were selected basically through purposive sampling, stratified, snowball and simple sampling. The instruments included the questionnaires, interview guides, observation and documentation. Data processing and analysis was guided by the research objectives. Qualitative data was dissected under the research themes. Calculations was done on the quantitative information and percentages made afler which it was presented in tables and figures. It was revealed that location differences existed gender access and control to land due to variations in demographic, social, economic, cultural, ethnic and historic developments within the Locations studied, and also depending on the available good land for farming practices. Gender access and control to rural land in the Bunyala District were affected by factors such as: gender, land ownership, the patrilineal inheritance system, local traditions and customs, decision~ making powers, perceptions, marital status, land disputes, resource position of the individual. Other factors such as knowledge of land legislations and education were expected to have a positive impact on men’s and women’s access and control to land, but could not be proven by the study. Recommendations were made to; Promote gender equity in access and control to land, improve the socio-economic status of women, strengthen women’s capacities to obtain and defend their land rights, transform socio.. cultural norms, transform traditional legal system and to Increase the utilization of the existing legal legislation, legal Aid and legal services.

 TABLE OF CONTENT

TITLE PAGE (1)

DECLARATION (ii)

CERTIFICATION iii)

DEDICATION (iv)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT (v)

LIST OF TABLES (iv)

LIST OF FIGURES (v)

ABBREVIATIONS (viii)

DEFINITIONS OF TERMS (ix)

TABLE OF CONTENT (xi)

ABSTRACT (xiv)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. 1 Background of the Study 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem 5

1,3 General Objective 5

1.4 Specific Objective 6

1.5 Research Questions 5

1.6 Limitations to the Study 6

1.7 Significance of the Study 7

CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Introduction 9

2.1 The General Refection of Gender 9

2.2 Factors Affecting Ones’ Access and Control to Land 11

2.3 Gender Roles on Land Access and Control 18

2.4 Customary Views on Inheritance Systems towards Land Access and Ownership 21

2.5 The role of the State in Different Land Systems in Africa 23

2.6 The Major-Caused Obstacles and Threats to Women’s Land and Property Rights....25

2.7 Conceptual Frame Work 26

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODS

3.0 Introduction 27

3.1 Research Design 27

3.2 Scope of the Study 27

3.3 Area of the Study 28

3.4 Sampling Method 28

3.5 Sample Size 29

3.6 Data Collection Instrument 29

3.7 Procedure 31

3.7.1 Data Quality Control 31

3.7.2 Data Processing and Analysis 31

3.7.3 Ethical Considerations 32

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESETATION, ANALYSIS & INTERPRETATION

4.0 Introduction 33

4.1 Respondents” Profile 33

4.1.1 Access and Control to Land In Bunyala District 34

4.2.1 Definitions of “Access” And “Control” 34

4.3 Factors that Detei~ines One’s Access to Ownership and Control to Rural Land in

Bunyala District 35

4.4 Perception of the Customary Inheritance System 44

4.5 Land Disputes 45

4,6 Sources of Information on Legislation Affecting Land 46

CHAPTER FIVE

DISCUSSIONS, CONCLUSION & COMMENDATIONS

5.0 Introduction

5.1 Discussions 49

5.2 Conclusion 60

5.3 Recommendations 63

5.4 The Way Forward 69

REFERENCES 71

APPENDICES 76

Appendix A: Introduction Letter

Appendix B: Acceptance Letter

Appendix C: Map of Study

Appendix D: General Questionnaire

Appendix E: Questionnaires for Women

Appendix F: Questionnaire for Men

Appendix G: Interview Guide for Key Informants