Improving and Securing Access to Land for Rural Women in Senegal

Republic of Senegal

Amount: € 300,000.00

Overview

The ENDA PRONAT project aimed to improve the economic and technical knowledge of women as well as to secure access to land for women living in rural areas of Senegal.  Land management and ownership are traditionally viewed as a male preserve in Senegal. This stems from informal institutional structures as well as socio-cultural factors. This project further endeavoured to encourage a sustainable system of agriculture and to strengthen the demand by women for reform of customary land management, thereby promoting their participation in land reforms and influencing national agricultural policies. The project sought to address the aspirations set out in the African Union's Agenda 2063, by assisting in building a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development by unleashing the potential of its women and youth.

Key results

• This project improved economic and technical knowledge of women. It also secured access to land for 4,000 women living in rural areas of Senegal.  Thus encouraging a sustainable and healthy system of agriculture and to strengthen the demand by women for reform of customary land management, thereby promoting their participation in land reforms and influencing national agricultural policies.
• Training was also provided through workshops on land management, agricultural production techniques and legal issues associated with registration and leadership of organisations. Meetings on gender issues in land management were also provided.
• Machinery for mechanical cultivation and irrigation was purchased, as well as some ICT equipment for workshop presentations. As a result of improved land management and cultivation, income from sales of agricultural products increased by 14% - 32%, depending on locality.