Title: Land Acquisition Practices and Women's Livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Critical Review and Research Agenda for Lira District, Northern Uganda
Authors: Jennifer Angwech
Volume: 10
Issue: 5
Pages: 343-346
Publication Date: 2026/05/28
Abstract:
This article critically reviews literature on land acquisition practices and women's livelihoods across Sub-Saharan Africa, with particular emphasis on Uganda and Northern Uganda. The review examines how customary land acquisition, individual land purchase, and leasehold arrangements shape women's food security, economic security, and decision-making power. The study is guided by Property Rights Theory developed by Harold Demsetz in 1967 and Feminist Theory advanced by Simone de Beauvoir in 1949. The review demonstrates that despite women's central role in agricultural production and household welfare, patriarchal land tenure systems continue to restrict their ownership, control, and use of land resources (FAO, 2023; UN Women, 2023). Evidence from Africa and Uganda further shows that insecure land rights, weak enforcement of land laws, land grabbing, poverty, and limited financial inclusion continue to undermine women's livelihoods. However, there remains limited empirical evidence specifically examining how different land acquisition practices influence women's livelihoods in Lira District, Northern Uganda. The article therefore identifies a major research gap and proposes a future research agenda for Lira District to generate localized evidence capable of informing gender-responsive land governance and women's empowerment policies.