Women smallholder farmers, responsible for producing 70% of Africa's food, play a crucial role in ensuring the continent's food security. However, they face multiple barriers in accessing land and resources, and own less than 10% of the land they cultivate. In addition to gender inequalities, climate change puts agricultural productivity and food security at risk.

Due to traditions and laws, women find themselves marginalized when it comes to accessing land, resources, and leadership roles. While formal legal systems may proclaim gender equality in land access, the reality looks different and informal laws block women smallholder farmers. Marriage, divorce, and inheritance laws often betray the promise of equity, leaving women and daughters stripped of their rightful heritage: After a husband passes away, his relatives often seize the land ownership that the wife was cultivating, leaving widowed farmers with no land or income. In the complex web of social, cultural, and religious practices, land ownership emerges as a symbol of power and influence within communities. Yet, for many women, this symbol remains elusive, not only limiting their economic independence but also political agency. Given that land can serve as collateral for credits and loans, it also emerges as an important asset for business development and future prospects.

This is why widows are among the most vulnerable in the farming community. After their husband dies, they not only lose their partner, but often also the rights to their land and livelihoods. Widow mothers are left with the double burden of finding work and caring for their children alone.

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