INTRODUCTION 

The vulnerability of women remains unquestionable, as gender issues persist despite various efforts and achievements. It is in this context that women often encounter numerous prejudices in their quest to access land for productive activities. Therefore, it is legitimate to question: Why do women struggle to access land? What are some successful examples of land exploitation by women? How can we promote equitable land access for women? This article delves into the causes of this challenging land access, highlights successful female cooperative farming examples, and provides solutions to promote equitable land access. 

Women’s access to land remains problematic for several reasons. One fundamental cause is rooted in tradition. In the general African tradition, women are considered perpetual outsiders, ready to move from one place to another at any moment. This perception has long puzzled men regarding the appropriateness of granting land to women. Consequently, women are often deprived of land that should rightfully be theirs. 

Additionally, the underestimation of women’s productive capabilities could explain this situation. The perception that women lack the ability to judiciously exploit the land at their disposal limits their access to it. 

Furthermore, female poverty is a significant contemporary factor. Due to their limited income, women are disadvantaged in the race for land, which is undergoing unprecedented speculation, leading to exorbitant prices. 

Mixed traditions, underestimation of women’s productive capacities, and lack of income restrict women’s access to land. 

Despite these challenges, several women excel in agricultural ventures. It is essential to shed light on female cooperatives that can serve as role models in the land access debate. Today, many women achieve self-sufficiency through land-based agricultural activities. For instance, there are simplified agricultural cooperatives that produce onions on 1.5 hectares, with each woman potentially earning 75,000 francs. In the case of rice production, 329 women in Sarana cultivate rice on 60 hectares, with a yield of 300 kilograms of paddy rice per 625 square meters. The development of these areas was made possible through an agricultural project. These examples come from the Central-West region of Burkina Faso, particularly the Sabou commune.

These examples underscore the need for equitable access to land for women. How can this be achieved? 

Equitable access to land for women is attainable with the right efforts. Sensitization is essential to challenge traditions that hinder progress. Additionally, the state should develop more agricultural initiatives by allocating production plots to women in cultivated areas to support their efforts and resilience. 

These are some measures that can facilitate women’s access to land. 

CONCLUSION 

Women still struggle to access land, due to various factors, including tradition, lack of income, and soaring land costs. Despite these hurdles, many women are actively changing the status quo through successful high-value agricultural enterprises. This calls for measures to make land accessible to everyone, particularly women.