Equal Rights To Land Ownership
By Friday Simbaya
It is estimated that limited education among women has been a barrier to achieving land ownership rights, especially regarding inheritance issues.
Often, after the death of their husbands, women face challenges in safeguarding their assets due to a lack of legal awareness.
Land use planning is the process of organizing and deciding how land will be allocated and used for sustainable development, including agriculture, environmental conservation, and infrastructure.
A 2023 report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicates that 32.5 percent of people aged 15 and older own land, with women contributing only 29 percent.
The Tanzanian Constitution clearly states that everyone has the right to own land. However, deep-rooted societal perceptions often dictate that only men have the authority to own land.
Education provided through the Tanzania Rural Women’s Forum (TRWF) aims to dismantle these notions and empower women to understand that they too have the right to land ownership.
During the celebrations of Rural Women’s Day and World Food Day, TRWF Chairperson Catherine Mlaga highlighted the forum’s strategy of uniting women to discuss their challenges and propose solutions.
“We have gathered women from the Mbeya, Rukwa, Njombe, Iringa, and Songwe regions to discuss our issues, identify the challenges we face, and make recommendations on the steps to take,” said Mlaga.
Mlaga emphasized the importance of educating rural women on their rights to land ownership and encouraged them to join the forum for a stronger collective voice in addressing their challenges.
The women also discussed food security issues by focusing on ecological farming, which helps mitigate climate change effects. They agreed on the importance of demonstration farms to facilitate learning about sustainable farming practices and preserving indigenous seeds.
Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Land Ownership
Mlaga explained that the forum also tackles gender-based violence (GBV) by focusing on women’s safety and access to resources, particularly land. The “Empower Women to Own Land” campaign was launched to ensure that women can own land without obstacles from their communities.
Despite the challenges they face, Mlaga noted that women have seen positive changes, especially in pastoral communities, where they are increasingly engaging in economic activities through farming and land ownership.
This year’s celebration highlighted the importance of food security for present and future sustainability, land ownership, GBV, climate change, and ecological farming. Women discussed food security and agreed on the need to raise awareness among policymakers to promote ecological farming as a viable path to tackling climate change and ensuring food security.
The women also agreed to establish demonstration farms that they would manage themselves, helping educate the community on ecological farming. Additionally, they emphasized the preservation of indigenous seeds, which have proven resilient even during droughts, essential amid climate uncertainties.
“We are here today with women who have also begun with pastoral families, primarily to ensure women can own land. If titles are issued, both father and mother should be included. As for GBV, we discussed the challenges faced in our communities, particularly how boys and girls alike need to be protected from gender-based violence,” Mlaga stated.
She stressed that while girls and women are often the main victims of GBV, boys are also vulnerable, yet often overlooked in discussions about protection and upbringing.
Voices of Benefiting Women
Eloy Saturo, Secretary of the Forum from the Maasai community, said that the forum’s education has enabled many women to understand their land ownership rights.
“Many of us now have the right to own land, which is a big step for our community, which has lagged in this regard. As a Maasai, I have seen much, but this forum has opened my eyes. Now I educate my community,” she said.
Saturo noted that previously, some members had no knowledge of land ownership, but now, a majority are aware and empowered. She added that despite traditionally being pastoralists, they are now engaging in various forms of farming, which has enhanced their livelihoods.
Saturo urged pastoral women to continue raising awareness among themselves, as they are still behind compared to other communities. She also called on stakeholders and other women to support and uplift them, acknowledging that they still face unique challenges.
Explaining the benefits of land ownership education, Saturo said that the knowledge gained has inspired women to understand what they want in life and the importance of land ownership, which benefits future generations and helps families escape poverty.
She added that TRWF has significantly helped women understand the importance of owning land, with some now leasing or cultivating land, marking a positive step for pastoral communities.
Benedetha Ngwahya from the Sukuma community added that land ownership education has been a lifeline for women who face challenges in owning assets after the death of their spouses.
She emphasized the need for further education to dismantle the notion that only men can own land.
“There is still a lot of work to be done within the Sukuma community to bring about change,” she stated.
Dafroza Mwasenga, a Community Development Officer from Actions for Development Program (ADP)-Mbozi, explained that the education provided has brought about positive changes within families, with men now beginning to allow their wives to co-own land. “Women are now aware of their rights, empowering them to tackle the challenges they face,” she said.
Overall, the Tanzania Rural Women’s Forum has sparked transformation in the lives of many rural women, equipping them with knowledge and courage to voice their concerns on social and economic issues.
There is an urgent need for stakeholders and society to recognize the importance of educating rural women on land ownership rights, particularly those in remote areas.
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