Proceedings of the 2nd (Hybrid) International Conference, Faculty of Social Sciences, Niger Delta University, Held on March 13, 2024
March, 2024
Pages 216-227
DOI: 10.36108/wjss/ConfP.2024.012
THE EFFECTS OF GENDER ROLES AND LAND OWNERSHIP RIGHTS ON FOOD SECURITY IN KAIAMA, KOLOKUMA OPOKUMA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA
Woyengiton-Ifiye H. Ajoko and Tonbra R. Odubo
Abstract
Women play significant role in the production of food in the world, despite several limitations. Such limitations include societal roles and unequal rights towards land and agricultural facilities. In several communities, particularly in Africa, women are tasked with the responsibility to provide food for their families. The role becomes enormously challenging based on identifiable limiting factors, such as land rights discrimination and other challenges. The study explored the effects of gender roles and land ownership rights on food security in Kaiama, Kolokuma Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. A crosssectional survey research design was utilised for the study. The data collected were obtained from secondary and primary sources. The study identified a significant relationship between land ownership rights of women and food security. It also identified how societal roles drive gender inequality in relation to women’s land ownership rights, leading to low food production. It was therefore, recommended that women should be educated enough to understand all forms of discrimination against them so as to develop the capacity to address their plights through the help of relevant advocacy agencies. Also, women should be allowed to own land to enhance food supply. They should not be kept vulnerable as a result of restrictions from non-ownership of land. Also, since access to land is an important condition for economic empowerment for women in agrarian societies, financial services are more dependent on security of land. Thus, women should be assisted by law to access financial aids through land ownership.
Keywords: Food Security; Gender Roles; Inequality; Land Rights; Land ownership