Access to agricultural resources and services
Land. Few women own land, due primarily to socio-cultural factors. The Property Service estimates that less than 6% of women are landowners, despite the revision of Agrarian and Land Reform which abolishes all discrimination in this domain. While the data is not available for rural settings, a study in 1990 in five towns revealed that 91% of the landowners were men.
Livestock. Data collection needed.
Forestry. Because of the significant role women play in the utilization of forests, a number of projects have been implemented to integrate women in the management of nurseries, reforestation and other forestry activities. In particular, a programme for improved stoves has resulted in a significant saving of forests. Constraints include the lack of personnel, insufficient credit for women's forest activities and the insufficient involvement of women foresters. Moreover, women's lack of access to land ownership limits their forestry activities.
Water. Data collection needed.
Credit. Women have very limited access to credit from commercial banks. The government has created a Fund for Support to Women's Income Generating Activities (FAARF). The National Agricultural Credit Bank also extends credit to women. People's Credit Unions are becoming more widespread, and in Ouagadougou, women's membership has grown from 13% in 1985/6 to almost 26% today. A number of NGOs also finance women's activities. Data collection is needed on the percentage of credit or funding extended to women.
Extension services and agricultural training. The agricultural extension service of the country is limited by lack of personnel. Activities directed to women primarily focus on improved nutrition and the conservation of fruit and vegetables. Data collection is needed on the extent to which women benefit from extension services or training. However, the country has a very low rate of literacy and school enrolment. In 1992, only 8% of women were literate compared to 23.5% of men. In 1988/90, the net primary enrolment of women was 23% and the gross secondary enrolment was 5%. The gross tertiary enrolment of the population, both male and female, is 1%. Of this, women represented 22.5% of the student population at the University of Ouagadougou in 1991/92, and 12.22% of those undertaking sciences. The agricultural training programme for out-of-school rural youth reaches only a small number of young people.
Women comprise less than 10% of agricultural extension staff.
Agricultural Extension Staff by Position and Gender, 1989
Source: Agricultural Extension and Farm Women in the 1980s, FAO, 1993
