How do differences in land ownership and control over agricultural assets between men and women influence the adoption of sustainable livelihood strategies in farming communities?
Short answer
Key finding
Gender inclusivity is essential to ensuring that the differentiated needs of all gender groups are considered in planning and implementing climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. Inclusive approaches leverage the unique knowledge and skills of both men and women to create effective responses to climate change. However, achieving gender inclusivity remains a challenge due to entrenched societal norms, power imbalances, disparities in education, and unequal access to resources, all of which marginalize climate-vulnerable groups.
Short summary
Agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its dependence on biophysical and socio-economic conditions. Addressing the impacts of climate change requires gender-inclusive strategies in agriculture and natural resource management. Predefined gender roles and socio-cultural constraints disproportionately affect women, children, and young people, making them more vulnerable to climate-related risks. Women generally have less access to land, financial resources, and agricultural inputs, which limits their ability to adopt sustainable livelihood strategies. In contrast, men, who typically control land and larger agricultural assets, have greater economic stability and access to climate adaptation mechanisms. Women rely more on small-scale livestock farming, seed preservation, and home gardening to sustain household food security. However, their limited access to critical resources such as fertilizers and credit services hinders their resilience-building efforts.
Long answer
Long summary
What is this summary about?
This summary presents evidence on the impact of differences in land ownership and control over agricultural assets between men and women and how these disparities influence the adoption of sustainable livelihood strategies in farming communities.
What evidence is this summary based on?
This summary is based on one systematic reviews:
Phiri, A. T., Toure, H. M., Kipkogei, O., Traore, R., Afokpe, P. M., & Lamore, A. A. (2022). A review of gender inclusivity in agriculture and natural resources management under the changing climate in sub-Saharan Africa. Cogent Social Sciences, 8(1), 2024674.
What are the main findings?
In SSA, women face significant barriers in becoming landowners or inheriting family land. Land tenure systems in the region often marginalize women, making it difficult for them to invest in crop production and long-term agricultural planning. As land is predominantly controlled by men, women tend to rely on small livestock, such as chickens and goats, as their primary assets. However, malnutrition in livestock due to inadequate pasture and water supplies reduces productivity, further pushing women into poverty. In contrast, men have better access to land, livestock, and diversified economic activities that are less dependent on climate conditions. They also have better storage facilities and access to traditional grain reserves, allowing them to maintain greater food security and economic stability.
Women’s limited access to financial services, fertilizers, and agricultural inputs further exacerbates their vulnerability. They often face constraints in acquiring inorganic fertilizers, which require market purchases, limiting their ability to improve soil fertility and crop yields. Despite these challenges, women play a crucial role in preserving agro-biodiversity through small-scale gardening and indigenous seed conservation, contributing to household resilience. Women are central to maintaining traditional knowledge systems that promote crop diversification and food security, yet their contributions are often overlooked in policy and decision-making processes.
This review highlights how disparities in land ownership and asset control shape the adoption of sustainable livelihood strategies. Women’s restricted access to land and resources limits their ability to engage in large-scale agricultural production and climate adaptation strategies, reinforcing their dependence on subsistence farming and informal livelihood activities. Meanwhile, men, who have greater control over land and economic assets, are better positioned to implement advanced farming techniques and invest in climate-resilient agricultural practices. The findings underscore the need for policy reforms that promote gender-equitable land tenure systems, improved access to credit and agricultural inputs for women, and increased support for women-led agricultural initiatives. Addressing these structural inequalities can enhance the resilience of farming communities and foster more inclusive and sustainable agricultural development.
Review summaries
A review of gender inclusivity in agriculture and natural resources management under the changing climate in sub-Saharan Africa
Review
Geography
Year
Citation
Number of included studies
Review type
Critical appraisal of included studies
Assessment review
1. Key finding
Overall
This review provides insights into the status of gender inclusivity among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and informs future efforts toward integrating gender-responsive strategies in agriculture and natural resource management. It highlights the need for inclusive mitigation and adaptation strategies that address gender disparities and promote resilience against climate change.
Women and girls related findings
Predefined gender roles in both rural and urban settings, coupled with socio-cultural constraints, make women, children, and young people particularly vulnerable to climate change. Globally, women have limited access to agricultural resources, financial support, and credit facilities compared to men. However, women play a critical role in developing adaptive strategies for household food security and human nutrition. In SSA, they significantly contribute to livestock production adaptation by managing water and feed supply for animals.
2. Short summary
This review examines gender disparities in agriculture and natural resource management under climate change conditions in SSA. It highlights the unequal distribution of land ownership and agricultural assets between men and women and its impact on sustainable livelihood strategies. Women face greater challenges in securing access to financial resources, training, and technology required for climate adaptation.
Livestock farming remains a crucial aspect of women’s livelihoods, as ownership of livestock is often more feasible than land ownership. Women actively participate in preserving agro-biodiversity through home gardening and seed conservation. However, gendered migration patterns place additional burdens on women, who take on increased household responsibilities when men migrate in search of better opportunities. Addressing these disparities requires inclusive policies, improved access to resources, and targeted support for women-led agricultural initiatives.
3. Long summary
3.1 PICOS
Population: Studies focusing on gender issues in agriculture, climate change, and natural resource management.
Intervention: Analysis of gendered perspectives and adaptation strategies in agriculture.
Outcomes: Identification of gender-related disparities in agricultural resource access and resilience strategies.
Study design: Research papers published in English covering gender, agriculture, and climate change.
3.2 Risk of bias Not assessed
3.3 Publication bias Not assessed
3.4. Findings
Women play a critical role in climate adaptation by engaging in diversified agricultural practices, including mixed cropping, irrigation, and soil and water management techniques. However, they face significant challenges in accessing credit, extension services, and climate-resilient technologies. Gender roles often limit women’s off-farm employment opportunities, making them more dependent on agriculture for sustenance.
Women are custodians of indigenous knowledge on seed conservation and biodiversity, which helps in adapting cropping systems to climate variability. Despite these contributions, cultural norms often restrict women’s ability to participate in decision-making processes related to land use and resource management. Additionally, gendered perceptions of livestock ownership create disparities in economic opportunities, with men viewing livestock as long-term investments, while women prioritize immediate food security.
Migration is another adaptation strategy that affects men and women differently. While men migrate in search of work, women are left with increased household responsibilities, including child-rearing and farm management. This additional burden limits their ability to engage in productive climate adaptation strategies, further exacerbating gender disparities in resilience-building.
Addressing these issues requires gender-responsive policies that improve women’s access to land, credit, and agricultural training. Supporting women-led agricultural cooperatives and ensuring legal protection for women’s land rights are crucial steps in fostering inclusive and sustainable climate adaptation efforts.
3.5 Sensitivity analysis Not assessed
4. AMSTAR 2 assessment of the review
| 1. | Did the review state clearly the components of PICOS (or appropriate equivalent)? | Yes | |
| 2. | Did the report of the review contain an explicit statement that the review methods were established prior to the conduct of the review and did the report justify any significant deviations from the protocol? (i.e. was there a protocol) | No | |
| 3. | Did the review authors use a comprehensive literature search strategy? | Yes | |
| 4. | Did the review authors perform study selection in duplicate? | No | |
| 5. | Did the review authors perform data extraction in duplicate? | No | |
| 6. | Did the review authors provide a list of excluded studies and justify the exclusions? | No | |
| 7. | Did the review authors describe the included studies in adequate detail? (Yes if table of included studies, partially if other descriptive overview) | No | |
| 8. | Did the review authors use a satisfactory technique for assessing the risk of bias (RoB) in individual studies that were included in the review? | No | |
| 9. | Did the review authors report on the sources of funding for the studies included in the review? | Yes | |
| 10. | If meta-analysis was performed did the review authors use appropriate methods for statistical combination of results? | NA | |
| 11. | Did the review authors provide a satisfactory explanation for, and discussion of, any heterogeneity observed in the results of the review? | No | |
| 12. | If they performed quantitative synthesis did the review authors carry out an adequate investigation of publication bias (small study bias) and discuss its likely impact on the results of the review? | No | |
| 13. | Did the review authors report any potential sources of conflict of interest, including any funding they received for conducting the review? | Yes | |
| Overall (lowest rating on any critical item) | Medium |
5. Count of references to the following words
| Sex | 0 |
| Gender | 73 |
| Women | 38 |
| Intra-household | 0 |