The morning sun rose over the land of Benin, casting a golden glow on the land  Assana Abdoulaye had tended for decades. For years, Assana and the women in Sinendé had planted, harvested, and labored – always tenants, never owners.

The land they worked was passed down through generations of men, and women like Assana were left with no rights, no voice, and no security. But now, as she holds the crisp, official Certificate of Customary Ownership (ADCs) document in her hands, everything feels different. For the first time in her life, she feels like she truly belongs to the earth she had nurtured for so long.

The changes were brought by Cuso International, in partnership with the Union des Femmes Élues Conseillères Communales (UFeC), a network of women politicians working to improve women’s rights and leadership.

Since 2021, Cuso International and UFeC have implemented the Strengthening Women’s Leadership in Rural Land Management project under the Sharing Canadian Expertise for Inclusive Development and Gender Equality (SHARE) program.

For generations, women in Benin were excluded from inheriting land under the traditional patrilineal system. However, modern laws like Beninese constitution, the land law, the family code, and the directives now grant women rights once denied by tradition. These include inheriting a spouse’s property, using land, and accessing international protections.

The project empowers women like Assana by educating them about their land rights, guiding them through the process of obtaining their ADCs, helping them secure legal ownership, and teaching them how to advocate for themselves.

The project didn’t stop at education. Over the first two years, women were supported in planting multi-purpose trees to secure their land and improve its fertility.

By the third year, the project had grown to include training in advocacy techniques, equipping women like Assana with the skills to lobby traditional leaders and royal courts for their rights.

Assana became a catalyst for change in her community. From a silent laborer, she transformed into a vocal advocate and president of the women’s association in her commune.

“I took part in campaigns to raise awareness among my peers about applying for ADCs for their land,” she said. “We raised awareness among traditional chiefs, who helped us to raise awareness in mosques. It’s a source of pride to know that they are in favour of women holding land. This has strengthened the solidarity between the women.”

The impact of the project has been profound. In Sinendé alone, 170 women like Assana now hold ADCs, giving them legal ownership of their land. Over 43 hectares of feminist plantations have been established, and 22 members of the departmental network of women leaders and model husbands have been trained in advocacy techniques.

These changes have not only improved the livelihoods of women but have also shifted the mindset of entire communities.

“I have seen a change in mentality and behaviour towards religious leaders and husbands,” Assana said. “We women have gained confidence and value in our communities.”

For women in Benin, the ADCs is more than just a document; it’s a symbol of hope and empowerment.

“This project is very important to us,” said Assana. “If it didn’t exist, women would still be marginalised. The certificates of ownership I have obtained have also enabled me to access loans from financial institutions to buy trees and plant on my plot of land.”

As the sun rose higher over the fields, Assana looked out at the land she now owned. The trees she had planted stood tall and strong, a testament to her hard work and determination.

With the support of Cuso International and its partners, Assana’s story is no longer an exception. It’s becoming the norm. And as the women of Benin continue to rise, the land they cherish is finally becoming theirs – not just to work, but to own, to protect, and to pass on.

The morning sun shone over the land of Benin, and for the first time, it felt like it was shining just for them.

About the SHARE Project

Funded by Global Affairs Canada, the SHARE project is designed to enhance the economic and social well-being of underserved communities with technical assistances. Since 2020, Cuso International has implemented SHARE across ten countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa, collaborating with governments, private sector stakeholder, academic institutions, and local organizations to drive sustainable development.