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Land Accessibility: The Burden on Socio Economic Livelihood of Women in Akpor Clan !bio"Akpor Local #overnment Area $ivers State %i&eria'
I,ec-i &menui-u &,wa,pam1( Epelle .lafuro "-.D) 1. Department of /eograp-0 and Environmental Studies) Ignatius .1uru 2niversit0 of Education) ".3.4 % (7 "ort 5arcourt) Nigeria. 2. Department of "olitical Science) Ignatius .1uru 2niversit0 of Education)".3.4 % (7 "ort 5arcourt) Nigeria. 6Email7 i,ec-io,was8gmailcom Abstract 9-e stud0 e:amined t-e land accessibilit0 and its attendant burden on t-e socio ; economic liveli-ood of t-e <omen in .,por =lan in &bio>.,por ?ocal/overnment .rea of @ivers State) Nigeria. 9-e specific ob1ectives were to identif0 t-e factors responsible for land use c-ange towards lac, of sustainable land access. 5ig-lig-t t-e e:tent t-is unfavourable trend affect t-e Socio ; Economic liveli-ood of women in t-e stud0 .rea. 9-e sample population was ** indigenous women of low economic standing) w-o most often) are involved in subsistent farming. . multi ; stage probabilit0 sampling approac- was utiliAed in t-e stud0.9-e primar0 data source entailed t-e use of structured Buestionnaire and t-e focus group discussions. 9-e secondar0 data source is t-roug- reviewing of ot-er pertinent researc- output on women access to land. 9-e stud0 found somew-at erratic nevert-eless decisive decline in t-e income of t-e -ouse-old.9-e pluralism of land rig-ts remains in t-e -ands of male fol, and government institution. .lso) t-e original occupational pursuit of farming -as ceased to be important because t-e land use c-ange -as occupied t-e indigenous farmland w-ic- leads to socio ; economic liveli-ood burden. 2nemplo0ment accounts for more t-an -alf of t-e active population. 9-e women are compelled to 1oin informal 1obs in order to maintain -ouse-old needs.9-e following recommendations are t-erefore madeC t-e government s-ould see, to be e:plicit as possible in determining t-e conditions under w-ict-e women can assert t-eir rig-ts. "urposeful and adeBuate participation is necessar0 in decision ma,ing for t-e women to -ave opportunit0 to dialogue on -ow best farmland can be accessed. 9-e process of e:propriation s-ould be clear) and adeBuate compensation to t-ose w-o own land s-ould be encouraged. =redit programmes and savings) targeting women to upscale economic opportunit0 will curb t-e socio ; economic burden e:perienced. *ey+ords7 land) accessibilit0) socio ; economic) liveli-ood) women ,' -ntroduction ?and is t-e most important resource t-at women depend on for cultivation and t-erefore t-eir liveli-ood. Its almost limitless capacit0 demonstrates t-e -ig- degree of value place on it for competing interest vie accessibilit0. ?ac, of access to land -as conseBuences for women as social and economic actors. .ccording to Jommo !1DD%# E"eople of an0 culture suffer stress in t-eir personal or social lives w-en t-e traditional patterns of organiAation begin to fall apart. For t-ose wit- few resources to cus-ion t-e s-oc, t-e brea,down of age ; old life support is especiall0 -ard to cope wit-. In-eritance practices as well as land rig-ts often "riorities owners-ip to 3en or to ,ins-ip groups. 9-is concentration of resources in t-e -ands of men widens t-e gender gap in access to land) e:acerbating t-e burden to sustainable access to farmland b0 t-e women. .ccording to ?astarria-=orn-iel and Frais !2 D#) land represents an important cultural resource) a productive factor and capital asset supporting t-e basic needs of -umanit0. Its liveli-ood asset and t-e basic building bloc,s support women in pursing self-sufficienc0. .s a -ig-l0 valued resource it does not onl0 determine condition but also t-e position of men and women wit-in a particular class and societ0. Similarl0) &0es-ola) !1DD%# identifies t-e importance of land as dominant resource w-ere economic activit0 of farming) fodder and t-e ingredients of muc- income earning strive. It is a resource t-at dignifies) brings food production) peace) securit0 and 1ustice and) promotes a culture of respectful use of natural resources and ensuring t-at t-e future generations can meet t-eir needs. ?and is fundamental importance to economic activit0 and development of an0 communit0. It provides t-e most common source of wealt-) social status and a powerful economic activit0 especiall0 to t-e women. .ccessibilit0 can be conceived as p-0sical pro:imit0 of two or more places or activit0 opportunities available in a geograp-ical regionC or it can be perceived as basicall0 related to t-ose t-ings w-ic- are important to t-em !3osele0) 1D7+C Igwe G .de0emo) 2 $#. .ccording to .0eni !1D$7# access to essential resources is positivel0 related to development so t-at lac, of access is cited as evidence of under development. .ccessibilit0) t-erefore) is t-e relative balance between demand for land and liveli-ood. 9-e burden on socio economic liveli-ood is so

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muc- t-at t-e women are often displaced from access to t-eir traditional farmland w-ic- is t-e most important source of t-eir econom0. . liveli-ood comprises t-e capabilities) assets !store resources) claims and access# and activit0 reBuired for a means of living. ?iveli-ood is a concept t-at is generall0 associated wit- -ealt-) emplo0ment) income status) accessibilit0. 2neBual .ccess of land create gap w-ic- limits t-e social and economic liveli-ood and conseBuentl0 limited opportunit0 for women to forge Bualit0 living. 'arious studies -ave s-own t-at t-e main burden of c-anges in socio ; economic sector of an0 societ0 -as fallen on women. Factors t-at curtail womenHs eBual rig-ts to land includeC discriminator0 laws and regulations) especiall0 related to propert0 and in-eritance) customar0 practices and traditional patriarc-al relations wit-in families and communities and overall vulnerable position of t-e women. <omen are generall0 ,nown to be suffering from gender deprivation because of customar0 and statutor0 land rig-ts w-ic- often culminate in t-e loss of land rig-ts. <omen provide 7 ; $ percent of all agriculture labour and D percent of labour involving food production !IF.D) 1DD*#. Social 1ustice recogniAes t-e need for a rig-t base approac- to resource utiliAation w-ic- demand eBual access to eBual Bualit0) wit- t-e needs and rig-ts of vulnerable groups appropriatel0 addressed !DFID) 2 2C Ivbi1aro G .,intola) 2 12#. Issues of access to land -ave an impact on a ver0 significant women population w-o still depend on land access for t-eir subsistence and liveli-ood. 9-e acBuisition of lands w-ic- does not give consideration to t-e direct and indirect effects on various socio-economic sectors lead to serious loss of output !a loss in food production#) real ris, of growing socio-economic differentiate) greater structural ineBualit0 and a stead0 deepening of povert0 in t-e area !IIED 1DD #. &ver time several efforts -ave been embar,ed) possible to correct t-e current trend in order to ac-ieve sustainable development. Development t-at generates economic growt- and distribute its benefit eBuitabl0) t-at generates t-e environment rat-er t-an destro0ing it) t-at empowers people rat-er t-an marginaliAing t-em. Development is not a c-oice but a necessit0 if lands are to meet t-e liveli-ood of citiAens. 9o ac-ieve Sustainable land access) it must aim to meet t-e economic) environmental and social needs of current societies wit-out -arming t-e living conditions of future generations !<=ED) 1D$7#. .c-ieving sustainabilit0 reBuires addressing ineBualit0 between 3en and <omen in t-e distribution of resources suc- as land. 9-is paper t-erefore) e:amines land accessibilit0 and t-e burden it e:ert on t-e Socio ; Economic liveli-ood of women wit- a brief overview of variables responsible for land use c-ange in t-e stud0 area. It goes furt-er to -ig-lig-t t-e unfavourable socio ; economic liveli-ood of t-e women as a result of land access and finall0 proffers measures on sustainable approac- to curb t-e situation. )' .ethodolo&y Approach Data presented in t-is stud0 were obtained t-roug- primar0 data source !i.e. t-roug- distribution of Buestionnaire and focus group discussions# and secondar0 data source !i.e. reviewing ot-er pertinent researc- output on women access to land#. 40 appl0ing a simple random sampling approac-) *% copies of t-e Buestionnaire was administered in eac- of t-e t-ree =ommunities !=-oba) @umuolumeni and)&Auoba# sampled. 9-e sample of t-e -ouse-olds was age determined - <omen over t-e age of ( 0ears. 9-is was done to obtain insig-t into women perceptions of t-eir access to farmlands. 9-e sampling ensured t-at eac- -ouse-old -as eBual c-ance of representation. &f t-e *% copies of Buestionnaire administered) ** copies were properl0 filled and returned. 9-e principal component anal0sis was 2nivarate tec-niBue to obtain summar0 measures of central tendenc0 !mean) median) and mode# of mont-l0 income distribution amongst sampled -ouse-old and measure of dispersion !e.g. range) standarddeviation) and variance# for single variables) as well as percentages and proportions. Suc- measures were necessar0 to c-aracteriAe t-e stud0 population. /' The Study Area .,por is an important =lan in &bio>.,por ?ocal /overnment .rea of @ivers State of Nigeria) consisting of ten indigenous communities !@umuolumeni) =-oba) @umuo,wac-i) @umuologu) @umuo,parali) &gbogoro) &Auoba) @umuosi) @umue,eni) .la,a-ia)#) at t-e nort-erl0 urban fringe of "ort 5arcourt.9-e econom0 is essentiall0 agriculturalC farming is t-e principal source of liveli-ood and is based on t-e cultivation of 0am) cassava) and vegetables. 3ore recentl0 t-ere -as been population increase triggered b0 urban sprawl and t-e infrastructural development !t-e tertiar0 institutions ; 2niversit0 of "ort 5arcourt) =-oba and) Ignatius .1uru 2niversit0 of Education) @umuolumeni and) two important 1etties at @umuolumeni and =-oba) respectivel0#. 9-e population pressure e:erts undue pressure on t-e indigenous farmland and increase in t-e demand for it. /', Land 0se Chan&e in the Enclave 2nli,e "ort 5arcourt municipalit0) .,por is not totall0 planned. 2rban sprawl -as swamped t-e clan w-ic-) in man0 cases) t-e people neit-er inspire nor desire and) w-ic- often instead of leading to an overall en-ancement) in fact in most cases cause considerable socio ; economic damage to t-e in-abitants. For e:ample) t-e enclave is losing economic viabilit0 w-ic- often times t-e women does not -ave little understanding of t-e c-anges t-at are ta,ing place) and e:perience great difficult0 in adapting to t-e situation. 9-e land c-ange -as occurred to include

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land =ommunities of @umuolumeni) =-oba) &Aouba) .la,a-ia) @umuosi) @umue,ene) &gbogoro) @umualogu. In most cases) it is alwa0s difficult to distinguis- t-e difference in land demarcation between "ort 5arcourt municipalit0 and t-ese communities becauseC urban sprawl is increasing in a great pace wit-out corresponding public polic0 planning to cope wit- t-e ver0 rapid rate of growt-. 9-e increase in competing land use as a result of in-migrationC illegal spatial activities produce negative conseBuences. &ne of t-e conseBuences is t-e Buantit0 of farmland available for e:isting use diminis-es. 9-e women) in most cases bear t-e burden of coping wit- t-e problem. In t-e past 0ears) t-e dominant land tenure s0stem -as been t-e customar0 land tenure. ?and was largel0 under customar0 land tenure wit- traditional owners-ip structure) w-ic- was in t-e -ands of lineage -eads. =ustomar0 tenure was t-e important s0stem t-roug- w-ic- t-e people determine -ow resources can be used and managed. 9-e s0stem includes t-e alienabilit0 of land so t-at alt-oug- families -ave secure and in-erited land -oldings) t-ese cannot be freel0 trade on t-e mar,et. 9-e traditional land owners-ip made it difficult to sell or bu0 land because it is not full0 individualiAed. 5owever) in recent times) nature) w-ic- used to be a friend) -as become an enem0 in t-e struggle for survival. ?and value is being appreciated as a result of urban sprawl w-ic- fuelled t-e sale of land b0 t-e 3ale fol,. Even t-oug- women pla0 a ver0 substantial role in agriculture) land owners-ip and > or land tenure s0stems) -ave -istoricall0 ver0 often discriminate against women. 9raditional in-eritance) especiall0 of farm land -as been predominantl0 patrilineal) often construed as a fat-er ; to ; son affair. "atriarc-al culture w-ic- favours and gives preference to male -eir -as made it eas0 to sell off t-ese lands because of t-e continuous s0stematic acBuisition of t-e land b0 government establis-ment t-roug- t-e e:tant ?and 2se .ct of 1D7$. 9-e land use .ct broug-t open access regime prevalent on State controlled land. 9-e /overnor of a State could e:ercise absolute rig-t to own) control) use and dispose at will State land. 9-e .ct was an instrument under w-ic- government could acBuire land t-roug- useful recognition of t-e eminent domain power to regulate and arbitrate over land. 9-e land use .ct nationaliAed rig-ts in land) ostensibl0 to facilitate access to development purposes !&binna et al. 2 $#. @ecentl0) @ivers State /overnment -as initiated /reater "ort 5arcourt .dministration) c-arged wit- t-e acBuisition of land in eig-t ?ocal /overnment .reas !"ort 5arcourt) parts of &bio>.,por) Eleme) &,ri,a)&0igbo)&gu)Etc-e and I,werre# of t-e State. 9-e introduction of all t-ese policies is alien to t-e people and undervalues and even ignores e:isting customar0 s0stems. 9-ese policies do not adeBuatel0 recogniAe t-e indigenous communities t-at were distinct in t-eir traditional owners-ip structure of land and t-ereb0 ma,e land more e:clusive) individualiAed and alienable wit- a s-ort term benefits - t-e need to gain -ig-er status and competition for ever0da0 life among t-e men w-o -astil0 sell off t-ese lands to land speculators. /') Women Access to Land 9-e important role women pla0 in t-e econom0 cannot be overemp-asiAed. <omen are generall0 responsible for providing for t-e -ouse-old needs and t-eir access to land for food production is critical to t-e welfare of t-e entire -ouse-old. 9-e women are predominantl0 distinguis-ed b0 t-e dominant economic activit0 of subsistent farming) an activit0 t-at is important sector in t-e local econom0 !t-e bac,bone of t-e local econom0# from t-e past generation. ?and is t-e p-0sical terrain upon w-ic- t-is activit0 functions. E:perience -as s-own t-at land demonstrate a -ig- degree of value in our societies. It is of prime importance in s-aping t-e identit0) integrit0) solidarit0 and culture of an0 group of people !Iuarcopoome) 1DD2#. <-ile it is important to recogniAe t-e special value s0stems about land and t-e resilience and resourcefulness of it) in more recent times) t-e indigenous women are faced wit- t-e conseBuences of urban sprawl and population pressure w-ic- force t-em out of t-eir traditional occupation of farming and undermining t-eir role as t-e essential providers of food and energ0. 4asicall0) t-is significantl0 affects t-e indigenous farmlands w-ere most of t-e women totall0 depend upon for survival. 9-e traditional base farmland -as increased substantiall0 of use for ot-er development. ?and formall0 used for agriculture is being turned to mi:ed land use. 9-is action is destro0ing t-e natural resource upon w-ic- farming activit0 is based. 9-e greater ris, of losing suc- important resource fall generall0 to t-e most vulnerable !women of low income# segments of t-e societ0. 9-e conseBuences of t-is is t-at urban sprawl create emergence of land mar,et w-ere t-ere is compelling need to sell-off t-ese lands b0 t-e male fol, for mi:ed land use but mainl0 residential and commercial purpose. 9-e Farmland conversion @eport s-ows $ percent rise in s-ift from agricultural into urban land use between 1DD2- D() %()* 7 to 1DD( ; D+) %$)((2 percent respectivel0. Some researc- estimates t-e number of agricultural land being eating awa0 b0 urbaniAation to be between 1+) and 2 ) -ectares 0earl0. Farmlands are disappearing drasticall0 wit- dramatic loss of cultural identit0. 9oo often) t-e disadvantaged receive no compensation and as a result suffer increased povert0. .n0 1ust compensation made is s-ared b0 t-e c-iefs and an0 male son of t-e famil0. 9-e women are totall0 e:cluded from t-e e:erciseC t-e0 receive little of t-e mone0 paid in t-is process and onl0 being compensated for t-e value of crops destro0ed. Sustainable access to land cannot be ac-ieved under t-e continuing e:ploitation of land b0 t-e privileged in t-e societ0. It will be a ruse if it does so. It must ensure access to land to all -ouse-old and provide environmentall0

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sound p-0sical planning. 4ecause of social distance) t-e problems of t-e vulnerable in t-e societ0 are not full0 appreciated b0 t-e polic0 ma,ers. <omen are rarel0 invited to participate in decision ma,ing process. 3en strongl0 dominate decision-ma,ing processes and leaders-ip in t-e communit0. .ccess of individuals and groups to scarce resources depends on t-eir economic position. 3a,inwa G &Ao. !1D$7#) asserted t-at Et-e relations-ip between social well-being of people and t-e ineBualit0 in accessibilit0 to societal resources affect t-eir access to scarce resources.J <it-in customar0 law) t-e in-eritance rig-t is favourable to male -eir. <omen access to farmland is regulated t-roug- male relations. 9-e traditional practices and institutional mec-anism -ave made it difficult and do not allow women t-e rig-t to own land but) t-e0 gain access to land often t-roug- t-eir -usbands or fat-ers or brot-ers) and lose suc- access after becoming widowed) divorced and deserted. It is onl0 t-e men t-at -ave transfer rig-ts ; t-e rig-ts to sell or mortgage t-e land. 9-e strong patriarc-al famil0 structures influence womenHs role in t-e local econom0 structure w-ere women -ave limited access to t-is valuable asset) generall0 ,nown to be suffering from gender deprivation. <omen -ave tendenc0 of losing t-eir identit0 as a result of t-is social imbalance. Some researc-ers -ave not -esitated to condemn t-ese cultural traditions w-ic- t-e0 see as placing an e:cessive burden on women. &t-ers -ave as,ed -ow women can acBuire t-e rig-t consistent witt-eir socio ; economic responsibilities. &n t-e positive side) t-ere is a growing concern on t-e need to en-ance liveli-ood opportunities) protection of t-e vulnerable) eBual rig-t of women and t-e restitution of alienated land. 9-e 2N ; 5abitat on <omen and Secure 9enure -as recogniAed several articles and programmes t-at introduce gender sensitive legislation w-ic- ensures t-at women -ave secure and eBual access to and control over productive resources suc- as land. 9-e 2N resolution of 1D7(. ens-rines t-e rig-t of rural women to participate on eBual footing in agrarian reform. Similarl0) c-apter 1( of programme 21 approved b0 2N"ED at t-e @io Summit in 1DD2) call on government to ta,e necessar0 steps to promote womenHs access to land. 9-e world conference on women !4ei1ing 1DD%#) urges government to underta,e legislative and administrative reforms in order to give women full and eBual access to economic resources) including land owners-ip. Similarl0) action programme of t-e <orldHs Summit on Social Development !=open-agen 1DD%#) calls on governments to e:pand and promote eBual land owners-ip rig-ts t-roug- appropriate measures) suc- as agrarian reform. "aragrap- 1+!a# and !b#) ob1ective * of t-e action plan of F.&Hs <orld Food Summit !@ome 1DD+#) urges member states to guarantee securit0 of tenure and eBual access to land for all t-ose living in povert0) including women. 1'2 Socio Economic Burden on Women 1', -ncome 9-e mean mont-l0 income of t-e -ouse-old was found to be N(*) DD%) w-ile t-e modal mont-l0 income was N* ) % . 9-is means t-at -alf of t-e -ouse-old in t-e sampled communities earned t-e eBuivalent of labour 2SK%. per da0) w-ic- is wit-in t-e povert0 brac,et and ver0 close to t-e absolute povert0 line. It furt-er revealed t-at most women in t-is area -ave ver0 little opportunit0 to engage in income generating activities. 9-e women bore t-e brunt of t-e economic environment) w-ere t-ere is somew-at erratic but nevert-eless decisive decline in t-e income in 2 $ to 2 12) reflecting a median famil0 income of N(*) +7+. 9-is figure points relativel0 lower levels of prosperit0 of man0 -ouse-olds w-o bear disproportionate s-are of survival burden and more deprivation. 2neven income means man0 -ouse-olds cannot meet t-eir dail0 needs) lac, access to farmland w-ic- t-e0 rel0 overw-elming upon as a source of income. 3an0 leave wit- little -ope of improving t-eir situations and raising sufficient income to survive is c-allenging. /iven t-e low income of t-e -ouse-olds) it is not surprising t-at capital investment and t-erefore incomes of t-e indigenous women are low) ver0 few -ave access and rig-ts to land. 9-e tables below s-ow a distribution of mont-l0 -ouse-old incomes amongst sampled -ouse-old and t-e ma1or income ; related statistics in t-e communities 9able 1. 3ont-l0 Income Distribution .mongst Sampled 5ouse-olds S>N IN=&3E =.9E/&@IES N L 1 ?ess t-an N1$) 2 1$) ; 22)DDD (2 12.7 * 2*) ; 27)DDD (* 1*. ( 2$) ; *2)DDD D1 27.+ % **) ; *7)DDD 1D %.$ + *$) ; (2)DDD 7 (*) ; (7)DDD $D 27. $ ($) ; 1 )DDD *7 11.2 D 1 1) or more D 2.7 T!TAL //2 ,22 Source7 .ut-orsH Field Surve0) 2 12.

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S>N 1 2 * ( %

9able 2. Income @elated Statistics S9.9IS9I=S '.?2ES !N# 3ean mont-l0 -ouse-old income (*)DD%.(% Standard deviation **)7 .+% Standard error of mean 2*) (.+$ 3edian mont-l0 -ouse-old income * )% . 3odal mont-l0 -ouse-old income * )% . Source7 .ut-orsH Field Surve0) 2 12.

1') !ccupation &f &ccupational distribution amongst t-e emplo0ed members of t-e sampled communities) a little over one t-ird *(.7 percent of t-e -ouse-old reported to be farmers. 9-e staple crops were cassava) 0am and vegetables. 9-e women) once self-sufficient in staple food crops) also produce for mar,eting to meet t-e basic -ouse-old needs. From t-e surve0) access to land is t-roug- relatives as compared to in-eritance. 9-e e:ploitation -as resulted to low income of t-e ma1orit0 of t-e indigenous women. 9able *. &ccupational Structure of <omen in t-e Sampled =ommunities S>N &==2".9I&N N L 1 Farmers 2% *(.7 2 Fis-ing . * Informal sector econom0 !pett0 trading) -air dressing and dress ma,ing# *+ % . ( "rofessionals in private practice>government % 7. % Junior wor,ers in companies> government + $.* T!TAL 3) ,22 Source7 .ut-orsH Field Surve0) 2 12 3ost of t-e women -ave s-ifted from t-e traditional occupational pursuit of farming and now engaged in informal sector econom0 of -airdressing) dressma,ing) pett0 trading in food and agricultural products suc- as fruits) vegetables) and tubers. 9-e obvious line of t-oug-t is t-at farming -as ceased to be important occupation amongst t-e -ouse-olds. It is not surprising t-at informal sector enterprise of trading was important amongst t-e women) since it is conceivable t-at t-e0 cannot venture be0ond t-e confines of t-e enclave to engage in erstw-ile traditional occupation of farming. 9-e informal sector econom0 -as increasingl0 grown and t-e transactions are done on t-e street) open space. 1'/ Employment Status 2nemplo0ment accounts for more t-an -alf of t-e active population. &nl0 about *+ percent of economicall0 wor,ing age women was activel0 engaged in t-e labour force in t-e last five 0ears. Slig-tl0 more t-an + percent of suc- women were previousl0 so engaged in farming activities in t-e last five 0ears. 9-ere -as been a s-ift in land use as a result of population pressure and p-0sical development. 9-e more rapid t-e rate of growt-) t-e -ig-er t-e land use demand. 9-is demand propels land developers to build as muc- as possible to accommodate t-eir needs and in t-e process den0ing t-e women t-e traditional occupational pursuit. 2rban sprawl) infrastructural development and population pressure on t-e land lead to dramatic decline in overall agriculture productivit0. 30ers) David) .,rat G) 5amid) !1DD%#) confirm t-at decline in overall agricultural productivit0 is due to a combination of factors) w-ic- include over population and urbaniAation. It is obvious t-at a relativel0 well paid and secured emplo0ment in public and formal sector is available onl0 to s-rin,ing minorit0 of t-e population. "overt0 is spreading amongst t-e wor,ing population !t-ose between 1$ and + >+% 0ears of age#. 3an0 women -ave been compelled to 1oin informal 1obs in order to maintain -ouse-old spending power. .s t-e lands become scarce) farmlands diminis- in siAe. 9-e terms w-ic- it is available become increasingl0 unfavourable and difficult. 4'2 Conclusion 9-e pluralism of land resource wit-in urban land tenure remains. ?and resources are concentrated in t-e -ands of male fol, and government institution w-o determine -ow resources including land can be used and managed. <omen do not en1o0 t-e same rig-ts as t-e 3en. 9-e implication of t-is is t-at t-e Buantit0 of farmland available for e:isting use diminis-es ever0 da0. ?oss of t-ese farm lands creates unaccustomed forms of social stress. 9-is widens t-e gap in access to land. 9-e original occupational pursuit of farming -as ceased to be important because of increase in competing land use. 9-is land use c-ange -as occupied t-e indigenous farmland w-ic- leads to socio ; economic liveli-ood burden. 3ost of t-e women are compelled to 1oin informal 1obs in order to maintain -ouse-old needs. 'arious land policies do not adeBuatel0 recogniAe t-e indigenous communities t-at were distinct in t-eir traditional owners-ip structure of land. 9-ese -ave adversel0 affected t-e overall performance of and output of t-e women in a number of wa0s suc- as -ig- level of living) povert0) restricted access to land. Failure to -alt furt-er burden mig-t 1eopardiAe t-e rig-t of large segment of t-e women 11

Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development ISSN 2222-17 !"aper# ISSN 2222-2$%% !&nline# 'ol.() No.1() 2 1*

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population wit- serious socio ; economic implications or conseBuences. 5'2 $ecommendation "ositive solutions must be seen against t-e bac,ground of t-e acute socio ; economic burden suffered b0 t-e ma1orit0 of women. 9-e government s-ould see, to be e:plicit as possible in determining t-e conditions under w-ic- t-e women can assert t-eir rig-ts. <omen rig-t to land s-ould be protected and strengt-ened) particularl0 for t-ose w-o -ave no ot-er wa0 of earning a reasonable living. 9-ere s-ould be an efficient land polic0 t-at consciousl0 integrates t-e women into planning and management mec-anism. 4erner !2 # asserts t-at Epolicies are reBuired in t-e provision and distribution of t-e ingredient7 land because of its uniBue nature and t-e crucial role it pla0s in -uman life cannot be treated as ordinar0 assertJ. "urposeful and adeBuate participation is necessar0 in decision ma,ing for t-e women to -ave opportunit0 to dialogue on -ow best farmland can be accessed in an urban growing area. Income-earning opportunities s-ould en-ance t-e range of income sources and not replace e:isting sources.9-e process of e:propriating land s-ould be clear and) adeBuate compensation to t-ose w-o own land s-ould be encouraged. En-ancing a credit programmes and savings) targeting women to upscale economic opportunit0 will curb t-e socio ; economic burden e:perience b0 t-e vulnerable) especiall0 t-e women. $eferences .0eni 4. !1D$7#. E.ccess EBuit0 and Efficienc0 in t-e ?ocation of @ural "ublic Services.J . "aper "resented at t-e * t- .nnual =onference of Nigerian /eograp-ical .ssociation) &,igwe) Imo State 2niversit0) 1%-1D 3arc-. 4erner) E. !2 # E?earning From Informal 3ar,ets7 Innovative .pproac-es to ?and and 5ousing "rovisionJ. . "aper "resented at t-e ESF>N-.E@2S and 2N@ISD <or,s-ops E=ities of t-e Sout-7 Sustainable for <-omM /eneva) * ; + ma0. Federal /overnment of Nigeria !1D7$#. 9-e ?and 2se Degree) ?agos7Federal /overnment "ress. International Fund for .gricultural Development !IF.D# !1DD*#. 9-e State of <orld @ural "overt07 . "rofile of .frica) @ome) Ital0. International Institute for Environment and Development !1DDD#. ?and 9enure and @esource .ccess in <est .frica7 Issues and &pportunities for t-e Ne:t 9went0 Five Nears. Igwe) =.F. G .de0emo) ..3. !2 $#. IneBualities in Service "rovision 4etween t-e =oastal and 5interland of t-e Niger Delta. Journal of Nigerian Environmental Society !JNES#. (!(#. 17D-1D+. Ivbi1aro 3att) F. .. G.,intola) F. !2 12#. Sustainable Environmental 3anagement in Nigeria. Ibadan7 4oo, 4uilders. Jommo) @. !1DD2# <omen in t-e Sa-el.<ednetcoordinator)Eld Nairobi) Oen0a. ?asterria-=orn-iel) S. G /arcia) F. !2 D# .Gender and land rights: Findings and lessons from Country Studies. F.& =orporate Document @epositor0. @etrieved fromwww.fao.com 3a,inwa) ". O.) G&Ao) .. &. !ID$7#. 9-e 2rban "oor in Nigeria. Ibadan7 Evans 4rot-ers ?td. 30ers) 3.) David) @.) .,rat) S. and) 5amid) .. .. !1DD%#.J9-e Effects of 3ale out 3igration on <omenHs 3anagement of Natural @esources in t-e SudanJ. International Institute for Environment. "aper No. + &binna) '.=.) &,wa,pam) I.&. G) 3ar,) E. !2 $#. 5ousing =-allenges in t-e Niger Delta) Nigeria and "olic0 Imperatives..Journal of Nigerian Environmental Society !JNES#. (!(#. 11D-1* . &0es-ola) D. !1DD%# Essentials of Environmental Issues. 9-e <orld and Nigeria in "erspective. Ibadan7 Dail0 /rap-ics ?td. Iuarcoopome) S. S. !1DD2#. E2rbaniAation) land .lienation and "olitics in .ccraJ. Institute of African Studies Research Revie ! "#$%&'! ()*(+. @ivers State /overnment E9-e /reater "ort 5arcourt =it0 Development .ut-orit0 ?aw No.2 of 2 D.J <orld =ommission on Environment and Development !1D$7#. E&ur =ommon FutureJ !4rundtland @eport# -ttp7www.environicfoundation.org>case>=uritiba.-tml. &:ford 2niversit0 "ress &:ford. -ttp7>>gr.worldban,.org>/2DP9D@3/& -ttp7>>en.wi,ipedia.org>wi,i>liveli-ood

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