AQUINO Journal of Philosophy

Gender inequality remains a major impediment to inclusive development worldwide, and Nigeria and Igboland in particular exemplifies this reality in complex ways. Although the nation possesses abundant human and natural resources, systemic gender disparities have hindered its socio-economic transformation. This article uses the Social Relations Approach (SRA) to examine how gender inequality in Igboland, Southeast Nigeria, limits socio-economic development, with a focus on women’s access to and ownership of land. Despite Nigeria’s legal frameworks, such as the 1978 Land Use Act, which offers gender-neutral land ownership rights, traditional customs in Igboland favor men in land inheritance. The study highlights how institutional frameworks—state, market, community, and family—reinforce gender disparities, often overlooking the structural inequalities that prevent women from acquiring land. At the community level, customary laws rooted in Igbo culture further limit women’s access to land by favoring men in inheritance and land-related rituals. The research also reveals how these gender-based barriers extend to economic and political participation, limiting women’s financial independence and decision-making power. Using Kabeer’s SRA framework, the study suggests key reforms, including restructuring policy implementation, training, advocacy, and promoting gender redistributive laws. It emphasizes the role of collective action, grassroots organizations, and community engagement in challenging gender-insensitive cultural practices. The article argues that addressing these systemic barriers will not only improve women’s access to land but also advance broader socio-economic development in Nigeria by fostering gender equality in critical sectors.

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