Improving access to land and strengthening land rights of women in Africa

Abstract

The study on Improving access to land and strengthening land rights of women in Africa was commissioned by The Land Policy Initiative (LPI) as one important component of the implementation process of the AU Declaration on land. The Land Policy Initiative (LPI) has included this important issue in its strategic plan, aiming to achieve in support of women’s land rights: The overarching aim of this study is to enhance the generation and dissemination of knowledge and to build evidence on the need to strengthen women’s land rights for economic development, improved livelihoods, environmental sustainability and enhanced governance. Its specific objectives are to clarify the inter-relations between women’s land rights and socio-economic development, peace and security and environmental sustainability in Africa; highlight the economic and social impacts of the discrimination against women with regard to access, control and ownership of land; identify, document and disseminate promising practices related to strengthening women’s land rights; examine possible benchmarks and indicators to track progress made in strengthening women’s land rights in the context of the implementation of the AU Declaration on land and; and provide concrete recommendations on how to further promote dialogue, advocacy, partnerships and capacity development in support of women’s land rights in Africa.