Confirmed Land Rights and Women’s Agricultural Productivity in Eastern Province of Rwanda

Abstract

This study examines the impact of confirmed agricultural land rights, particularly through joint titling and legal recognition, on women’s access to resources, decision-making power, and agricultural productivity in Eastern Rwanda. A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving 327 women cooperative members selected through stratified and purposive sampling across seven districts. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Chi-square tests, and multiple regression analyses, while qualitative insights were drawn through thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke’s framework. Results show that 81.2% of women with confirmed land rights reported improved access to agricultural credit, and 76.4% experienced greater autonomy in land-related decisions. Women holding joint titles were significantly more likely to invest in quality inputs and utilize agricultural extension services, contributing to increased yields and income diversification. Nonetheless, challenges such as informal marital arrangements (reported by 26.8% of respondents) and persistent patriarchal norms continue to limit women’s full control over land use. The study concludes that while land rights confirmation enhances women’s productivity through improved tenure security and financial access, its transformative potential is constrained by sociocultural and institutional barriers. It recommends gender-sensitive land reforms, improved legal literacy, inclusive financial services, male engagement in land governance, and further research into the long-term impacts of secure land tenure on women’s empowerment.