Abstract
Gender is a crosscutting theme in development, hence its topical character in national, regional, and international contexts. Globally, calls, frameworks, and platforms for gender equity and parity are increasing heralding a shift in governance and development theory and practice. Within the ambit of understanding gender in an African context, the chapter considers land reform as an alternative development strategy and interrogates gender issues emanating prior to, during and in the aftermath of the fast-tracked land reform programme. Redistributive land reform, complemented by focused support to the land beneficiaries, is an alternative development and empowerment approach for both men and women, and mostly for the majority of women who have been largely marginalised from mainstream development.
TopLand, Development And Empowerment
Land is among the core resources in nations’ quest for development, hence, increasing consensus among scholars on land and agrarian reforms that land is a key socioeconomic resource whose appropriate utilisation leads to sustainable socioeconomic transformation. Social, economic and political development of any country is, among other variables, linked to land ownership, control and use. Several scholars report on how land is a scarce but vital resource, a cornerstone for reconstruction and development. Land has social, economic and political value to those who own, control and use it (Jill, 2005; Moyo and Yeros, 2005a; Moyo, 2011, 2013; Moyo and Chambati, 2013).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Gender Equality: Achieved when women and men enjoy the same rights and opportunities across all sectors of society.
Sustainable Development Goals: Are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.
Land Reform: A purposive change in the way in which agricultural land is held or owned, and in the methods of cultivation that are employed.
Empowerment: A set of measures designed to increase the degree of autonomy and self-determination in people and communities.
Development: The process in which wellbeing or changes and becomes more and better off.
Poverty: Not having enough material possessions or income for a person's needs.