"Bora" and Beyond: Implications on Women's Access to Land in Peri-Urban Settlement in Sierra Leone.

context and background customary land access in the north-west of sierra leone hinges on "bora," a traditional system based on respect and social obligations rather than formal ownership. historically, a "bora" payment a small token such as a basket of rice or a few chickens was given by strangers and women from non-land-owning families to the community or landowner to secure land use for farming, building, or resource use. goal and objectives: this study's goal is to examine the emergence of a commodified "bora" a cash payment replacing traditional obligations and its impact on gendered inequalities in land access. the objective is to investigate how this shift challenges and/or reinforces existing power structures and customary gender roles related to land. methodology: the research employed a case study design utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods to investigate these shifting dynamics. the study investigated three key areas: how the monetization of "bora" alters traditional power structures and customary gender roles; the livelihood impacts; and whether "bora" ultimately presents an opportunity for women's agency or contributes to their further marginalization within land governance. results: the study sheds light on the complex interplay between cash, tradition, and gender in shaping land rights, specifically in terms of empowerment or exploitation. this research highlights the urgent need for inclusive land governance frameworks that recognize and protect women's customary rights alongside formal structures.