Land
Access and rights to land are vital to agricultural livelihoods and food security. Moreover, land rights underpin access to other natural resources that are critical economic assets. When women have secure rights and the ability to participate in decisions related to land, research has shown that land resources are more likely to be used to improve household wellbeing, including improved food consumption and nutrition.
However, women account for only 11.5 percent of landholders in conflict-affected countries. Gender inequality in tenure systems remains embedded in social and cultural norms, restricting women’s rights and resulting in disproportionate impacts on women. Lack of access to land can leave women vulnerable to physical and livelihood risks, and conflict can exacerbate this vulnerability through displacement, weakened authorities, disrupted social structures, and overall reduced availability of land. Furthermore, as land titles are often prerequisites to obtain credit, agricultural inputs, and other support, women are often denied access to these services which are vital for post-conflict recovery.
Issues of land access and rights are increasingly incorporated into peace agreements. However, there remain significant cultural and political barriers to land security for women, as even countries with formal recognition of women’s equal land rights struggle to guarantee and enforce these rights in practice. Efforts to provide legal and mediation services, prioritize gender-sensitive land reform, and assess women’s roles in natural resource sectors have made progress to empower women to enforce their land rights and meaningfully participate in land management decisions.
Key Resources
Life Can Change: Securing Housing, Land and Property Rights for Displaced Women
In 2011 NRC established a programme of work focused on strengthening displaced women rights to housing, land and property (HLP). This was in response to…Land and Conflict: Toolkit and Guidance for Preventing and Managing Land and Natural Resource Conflict
Conflict arises when two or more groups believe their interests are incompatible. Conflict is not in itself a negative phenomenon. Non-violent conflict can be an…Realizing Women’s Right to Land and Other Productive Resources
The purpose of this publication is to provide detailed guidance for lawmakers and policymakers, as well as civil society organizations and other stakeholders, to support…FAO Gender and Land Rights Database
Land is a crucial resource for poverty reduction, food security and rural development. However, men and women do not always enjoy the same rights to…Women and Land in the Muslim World
Access to land is a key element that allows women and men to fully play their role in building peaceful, stable and prosperous societies and…
Resources
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Library
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Israel/Palestine: Visualising How Israel Keeps Stealing Palestinian Land
International
On July 2, Israeli authorities announced the largest single seizure in more than 30 years – 12.7sq km (4.9sq miles) in the Jordan Valley.
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In Cameroon, Breaking Barriers for Women in Restoration
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Empowering Women to Combat Climate Change in Nigeria
International
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Africa: Land Squeeze: The Hidden Battle for Africa’s Soils
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International
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Honduras: Violence, Land Conflicts, Corruption and Impunity Defy Human Rights
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Legal Practitioner Engages Women on Their Roles in Peaceful coexistence in Plateau
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Liberia: Stakeholders Unite to Integrate Climate Change Action into Land Formalization Framework
International
Stakeholders have reached a consensus to incorporate climate action within the framework of land rights, aiming for a sustainable and inclusive approach to land formalization.
Liberia: ForumCIV, Partners Hold Policy Dialogue to Secure Land Rights for Women and Rural Communities
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With support from the European Union (EU), ForumCIV and MAP Liberia have ended a day-long policy dialogue to secure land rights for women and rural…
Afghanistan: 21 Million Afghans Lack Access to Clean Drinking Water: Official
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Sudan/South Sudan/Abyei: 37 People Killed in Disputed Oil-Rich African Region of Abyei in Fighting Linked to Spiritual Leader
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Nigeria: Stakeholders Seek Alignment of Gender, Climate Change in Agric Policies
International
Liberia: Landesa, Partners Rally Support for Inclusive Climate Action and Land Rights
International
Landesa, a global advocate for land rights and women’s empowerment, in collaboration with the Rights and Rice Foundation, has commenced a groundbreaking conference titled “Land…
Women Leaders in Environmental Management
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This book chapter explores the significant role of women leaders in environmental management and their impact on sustainable development. Historically, women have been underrepresented in…
Cambodia: The Intractable Problem of Land Grabbing in Cambodia
International
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“We won’t play nature to your culture,” declares a 1983 work by the American artist Barbara Kruger, known for her biting pairings of text and…
Ukraine: Fires in Askania-Nova: Consequences of Military Occupation of a Reserve
International
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Sudan: Climate Crisis Exacerbates Gender Inequality in Sudan
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Liberia: USAID, Land Authority Agree to Collaborate on Land Reform
International
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Liberia Land Authority (LLA) today signed a MOU, setting forth a collaborative framework for the…