1. 12. Land, gender and policy. Gambia case study African Economic Development Renata Serra – March 20 th 2007

2. Gender in African Agriculture Men’s / women’s plots and crops Men’s / women’s plots and crops Men’s / women’s tasks Men’s / women’s tasks Men’s /women’s budgetary control and obligations Men’s /women’s budgetary control and obligations What were these distinctions traditionally in the Northern Bank in Gambia? What were these distinctions traditionally in the Northern Bank in Gambia? NOTE: these distinctions shifts over time in response to opening and constraints provided by policy NOTE: these distinctions shifts over time in response to opening and constraints provided by policy

3. Land rights Customary rights are prevalent Customary rights are prevalent  multiple, often competing rights to land, such as usufruct versus landholder rights  multiple, often competing rights to land, such as usufruct versus landholder rights Examples from the Gambian case study: Examples from the Gambian case study: Ex. 1: can a gardener with usufruct rights pass the land onto her daughter? Ex. 1: can a gardener with usufruct rights pass the land onto her daughter? Ex. 2: can she plant trees? Ex. 2: can she plant trees?

4. International agendas / local policies WID: late 1970s-early 1980s WID: late 1970s-early 1980s Women’s gardening Women’s gardening Re-forestation and NRM Re-forestation and NRM New orchards on pre-existing gardens New orchards on pre-existing gardens Soil and water management Soil and water management NEAP, food security, dyke systems NEAP, food security, dyke systems

5. Conflicts over land and labor Gardening phase: Gardening phase: Women claim rights to men’s land (with donor support) Women claim rights to men’s land (with donor support) Men’s do not object as they benefit from gardening Men’s do not object as they benefit from gardening Tree-cropping phase: Tree-cropping phase: “Natural” species succession means men can reclaim land “Natural” species succession means men can reclaim land Trees drive women out of garden Trees drive women out of garden Water and soil reclamation Water and soil reclamation Women’s labor is harnessed for “household food security” Women’s labor is harnessed for “household food security” Collective goals should have priority over women’s economic opportunities Collective goals should have priority over women’s economic opportunities

6. Development interventions Development interventions are never neutral, as they affect: Development interventions are never neutral, as they affect: The mix of cash versus food crops The mix of cash versus food crops The strength of alternative claims over land The strength of alternative claims over land Household distribution of labor Household distribution of labor Gender distribution of power and women’s autonomy Gender distribution of power and women’s autonomy As new policies create new constraints and open new opportunities, groups take differential advantage As new policies create new constraints and open new opportunities, groups take differential advantage Often, intentionally or not, prevailing agendas tend to adopt policies that are damaging to women’s interests Often, intentionally or not, prevailing agendas tend to adopt policies that are damaging to women’s interests