An Examination Of Gender Gaps In Systems Of Land Ownership In Relation To Food Security In Kenya

Abstract

Land has long been shrouded in conflicts and misunderstanding in Kenya, this has led to differed opinions on the subject. The purpose of this research project is to examine the gender gaps in systems of land ownership in relation to food security in Kenya. The problem is the fact that while women are hugely depended on to produce food the very commodity that is crucial in food production has evaded their grasp, Land. The study used these theories to analyze data; the Marxism feminism, Socialism feminism and the Sarah Longwe framework. The study methodology is a desktop review covering various literature and research work done by other scholars, other sources are from reports done by Kenya national bureau of statistics. In conclusion the study observes that more studies be carried out not just in Kenya but also in other countries to truly find ways to mitigate the gender gaps in Land ownership in order to ensure better systems and improve food security. The study establishes that despite the progression in our laws especially our constitution 2010 and the Marriage act of 2012 we have failed to implement the same. The study also finds that the various traditions within the Kenyan communities have oppressed women seeing them as unworthy to inherit land since women are married off and they can go and inherit land in their husband’s home. The study also established that poverty was both a determinant and contributor of women's access to land and eventually their tenure security. Lastly the study established that the political temperatures has broadly remain patriarchal with lawmakers mainly being men and not being very keen to make pro-women laws. The study recommends more training for women, incorporation of women rights laws in education materials in both primary and secondary level, reaching out to community elders as custodians of customs to enlighten and encourage them to abandon patriarchal practices and for women to be economically empowered to enable stand up for their rights more.