A Proposed Economic Household Model on Land Acquisition and Utilisation between Males and Females in A1 Resettlement Schemes in Zimbabwe, 2000-2002

Tavonga, Njaya (2013) A Proposed Economic Household Model on Land Acquisition and Utilisation between Males and Females in A1 Resettlement Schemes in Zimbabwe, 2000-2002. PhD thesis, Zimbabwe Open University.

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Abstract

The fast track land reform programme implemented in an accelerated manner in Zimbabwe during 2000-2002 resulted in a major and drastic reconfiguration of land use and ushered in a new regime of gender relations on land. Although much has been documented about the fast track land reform programme, the gendered outcomes of the programme, especially the consequences on different categories of women still remain an inadequately researched area. Whereas women in single-headed households could obtain land in their own right, the security of land rights for married women has not been adequately investigated. This thesis makes a contribution to filling this lacuna. The primary purpose of the study was to make a critical evaluation of the distribution of land between men and women under the fast track land reform programme using a gender approach. The approach specified the imbalances in the division of labour between men and women, status of women in the domestic units, the diversity and asymmetry of households, intra-household and extra-household power relations and gender-based differentials as regards access to and control over assets in A1 resettlement areas. The study used statistical tests and econometric analysis on baseline survey data collected by the African Institute of Agrarian Studies and supplemented by qualitative data gathered in Goromonzi District. The qualitative data were collected using questionnaire interviews, focus group discussions, observations and document analysis in order to triangulate the evidence. The study did not find evidence of the discrimination of married women. The study revealed that women enjoyed the same land rights as men in A1 schemes. Women were assigned land rights as individuals and through joint registration of offer letters with their husbands. Intra-household factors were not significant determinants of the security of women’s land rights in A1 schemes. Instead, extra-household factors like social assets determined the security of women’s land rights. Using the mean size of arable area allocated to men and women, the study did not find evidence of gender asset gap in A1 schemes. However, the study found that more men than women received land under the land reform programme because the government used the household as the beneficiary unit. Although the gendered relations of production still shaped the division of labour within households, women had equal status on decision making about crop production, acquisition and disposal of livestock, household and productive assets and marketing of agricultural products. The study recommended that there should be legal recognition of dual-headed households in the land redistribution programme. The allocation of land under the land reform programme should focus on individuals within households. Methods should be devised to inform women about their land rights and the avenues through which these rights can be enforced. The proposed land policy reform should focus on land titling in order to promote agricultural production and investment. Future research should focus on the security of women’s land rights in the event of divorce and the impact of off-farm residence of A1 farmers on agricultural production efficiency and investment.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions
Divisions:	Africana
Depositing User:	JHI Africa
Date Deposited:	10 Dec 2015 14:20
Last Modified:	10 Dec 2015 14:20
URI:	http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/299

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