http://popups.ulg.be/1780-4507 fr http://popups.ulg.be/1780-4507/index.php?id=22070 Description of the subject. Women’s empowerment in sub-Saharan Africa, and particularly in Benin, remains limited, largely due to uncertainty about the key factors that could strengthen it. One crucial factor is women’s access to secure land tenure rights, especially in rural areas. Although current laws grant equal land rights, customary practices and village autonomy weaken these rights for women, exposing them to discrimination and higher land insecurity. Land ownership does not necessarily guarantee tenure security for women, an issue that has received little attention. Objectives. This study aims to analyze whether land rights (inheritance, purchase, gift) improve women’s empowerment in the agricultural sector in Benin. Method. The study uses data from 2,819 households, including 899 female-headed households, collected in 2021 across 44 communes in Benin. Women’s empowerment is measured using the Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI), while its determinants are analyzed using a logit model. Results. Three key findings emerge. Only 4.78% of rural women participate in household decision-making. Women with full land ownership (through purchase, gift, or inheritance) show higher levels of empowerment. Income from owned land enhances tenure security and positively impacts women’s decision-making power. Conclusions. These results suggest that inclusive land policies strengthening tenure security are crucial not only for increasing women’s empowerment but al