Liberia: Dowry and Women's Land Rights in Liberia: A "Double-Edged Sword" for Women

Mar 7, 2018 | Justine Uvuza, Thomson Reuters Foundation
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As an African woman and gender expert, the concept of “dowry,” or bride price, is not new to me. For women attempting to exercise their rights to land, a dowry can prove to be both an obstacle and, in some cases, an opportunity. Though I’ve been involved in many discussions relating to gender perspectives of dowry, I had never experienced the gravity of how a dowry can affect women’s land and property rights until I travelled to Liberia. There, I joined a team of researchers on an upcoming study on women’s land rights in three counties: Nimba, Maryland, and Grand Bassa.