TheCable

A lot of widows in 35 countries, including Nigeria, do not have equal land inheritance rights.

In March, the gender equality bill, a bill to ensure gender parity, equal economic opportunities, and equality in marriage especially in terms of inheritance and land rights, was rejected by the senate.

Some members, including Sani Yerima, a senator from Zamfara state, cited religious and cultural reasons for depriving women equal right.

But according to the World Economy Forum,  the economy grows when women have better land and inheritance rights.

Women with strong property and inheritance rights earn up to 3.8 more times income. Of course this means more money for a household, especially as research shows women would spend their income on their children.

Children whose mothers own land are up to 33% less likely to be severely underweight.

Families where women own more land devote more of their budget to education.

Women who own more land are up to eight times less likely to experience domestic violence.

Where women’s property and inheritance rights are stronger, women’s individual savings are up to 35% greater.

Children in households where women own land are up to 10 times less likely to be sick.