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Fati Amadou, from Fabidji village in Niger’s Dosso region, shares her powerful story of transformation. Once unable to use or claim land, Fati is now part of a growing movement in which women can buy land in their own names and inherit family land—progress made possible through JP RWEE’s support in facilitating dialogue with customary leaders. With secure access to land, Fati and many other women are now able to produce more, strengthen their livelihoods, and ensure food security for themselves and their families.
‘’My name is Fati Amadou, from the village of Fabidji Haoussa. I am the head of a women's group in the Fabidji commune, in the Dosso region of Niger. For a long time, land was something women like us could only access temporarily, often through informal arrangements that could be withdrawn at any time. Buying land ourselves or inheriting it was almost impossible, and we were rarely involved in decisions or disputes related to land.
Through the Joint Programme on Rural Women's Economic Empowerment, this situation has started to change. The programme helped facilitate a dialogue with customary leaders, local authorities, and communities. As a result, women in our commune now have more secure access to land, and for the first time, women can buy land in their own names and inherit family land, rights that were previously denied or strongly discouraged.
This change has brought real transformation to our lives. Knowing that land can belong to us, and can be passed on to our children, gives us confidence to invest in farming and other income-generating activities. Women in our group have expanded production of cowpea, peanuts, and market-garden crops, improved their practices, and increased their incomes. These gains help us feed our families, support our children's education, and better cope with climate and economic shocks.
Just as importantly, women are now fully represented in land-related decision-making at the community level. We participate in land committees, contribute to discussions on land allocation, and are involved in managing and resolving land disputes. Our voices are listened to, and our presence has helped reduce conflicts and promote fairer solutions.
Today, we are no longer seen only as temporary agricultural laborers on the land, but as landholders, decision-makers, and contributors to local development. Secure land rights have strengthened our resilience, our autonomy, and our dignity, and they have opened new possibilities for the future of women and girls in Fabidji.’’
Fati Amadou speaking up at a community meeting.
Originally published at jprwee.org