Land Markets and Land Access Among Female-Headed Households in Northwestern Tanzania. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wineman, Ayala; Liverpool-Tasie, Lenis Saweda O.
• Is Part Of: World development. Volume 100(2017)
• Page Start: 108
• Page End: 122
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: gender -- land markets -- qualitative—quantitative methods -- Tanzania; Economic history -- 1990- -- Periodicals; Economic assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; 330.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2017.07.027
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-750X

Abstract

Highlights: Approximately one in five female household heads has purchased land independently. The amount of land purchased/rented is inversely related to the initial land endowment. Female-headed households are still less likely than male-headed households to participate in the land market. Women are burdened with particular restrictions on the sale of inherited land. Summary: Land markets can potentially improve land access for female-headed households if markets exhibit less restrictive gender norms around land ownership, as compared with non-market-based systems of allocation. At the same time, land markets may not operate in a gender-neutral manner, with restrictions beyond the market continuing to influence the options of female-headed households. Using both qualitative data and household survey data collected in 2014 and 2015, this paper explores the extent and manner in which female heads participate in the sales and rental markets in northwestern Tanzania. A qualitative analysis reveals that female heads do engage with the market, although they find it most difficult to mobilize the necessary capital to participate as buyers or renters. Women also seem to face unique restrictions on selling land. Regression results show that female heads use the market to augment a small land endowment left from their marriage, and this is particularly true for divorced or separated women. However, female-headed households remain somewhat marginalized in terms of market participation. Our study shows that female heads in Tanzania are far from sidelined in the land market, though the "rules" of market engagement are decidedly nuanced.