The issue of land ownership can be a cause of conflict in many cultures, due to the economic, social and cultural values of land held within most communities. Many conflicts within and between communities, including the legality of land rights, land inheritance and customary land tenure are impacted by a gender dimension which necessitates that it is considered in land and conflict discussions. Research and organisational efforts focused on gender, land and conflict stem from the actions of motivated individuals committed to reducing the barriers to women seeking rights to, and ownership of land within their communities. Whether these individuals are dedicating themselves to researching local communities, or actively working to improve women’s land ownership, their stories and experiences show that it is possible to face such daunting challenges as systemically improving women’s access to land ownership and control.
Sonia, member of Swadhina (India)
In many parts of India, land is more than just a property– it is identity, power and security. But for countless women, owning land on paper doesn’t mean they can actually access or control it.
Sonia, a member of Swadhina has spent her time working to change this reality. Swadhina, a grassroot organisation in India is committed to promoting women’s land rights and believes that true empowerment begins with ownership.
Sonia’s latest research delves into a reality that is often left unspoken. Her research Invisible Barriers: Socio-Cultural Taboos Impacting Women’s Access to Land Resources and Livelihood dives into factors that impede women’s access to land rights. The prevalent tribal customary laws are not just outdated traditions but are entrenched systems that continue to define who can and cannot lay claim to the land. As Sonia puts it “the tribal customary laws are totally against women. So according to the customary laws, the women cannot inherit land; however, provision states that women need to be given full support but the right to land is not mentioned.” During her fieldwork, she encountered countless stories of women who were not given rights to their “own” land. Women who work their own fields every day, are often seen by their families as laborers and not landowners.
What makes Sonia’s work stand out is how she amplifies unspoken voices. Her research challenges embedded patriarchal customary laws and taboos that have persisted for generations. She calls for economic and financial independence for women by advocating for robust capacity-building programs and awareness campaigns. She believes that the complex issue of land rights can be addressed by equipping women with knowledge and support.
One of her key points is that the fight for women’s land rights should not be seen as a threat to culture. As she puts it “to maintain cultural identities, women should not be victimised.” She argues that cultural traditions and customary laws must evolve to reflect values of justice, equality and shared ownership rather than being used to justify discrimination. Sonia’s research brings forward the buried stories of rural women, one that reminds us that justice begins at the roots.
Celine, Senior associate in land and resource rights and gender equity
Celine, a senior associate in land and resource rights and gender equity, investigates inter and intra-community conflicts related to land rights, with an interest in how many women do not possess formal land rights in many collective communities. Their ‘secondary land rights’ are highly dependent on relationships they have with brothers, husbands, or other male relatives who control the land.
She discusses how inter-community conflicts are largely caused by inheritance rights and acknowledges that some communities do provide women with the legal right to inherit land, however these rights are difficult to enforce, as many communities practice customary land-tenure where land-related decision making is male-dominated. The example she uses, that “even if, for example, a daughter can inherit land there's always a brother who will claim control, if not outright ownership of that land” shows how women’s legal right to land does not inherently reduce the social barriers created by patriarchal norms within a community.
Similarly, Celine discusses the difficulties for women within legal conflicts, as legal systems mostly contain male officials, creating a patriarchal mindset within the system and resulting in the perpetuation of male dominance. She also brings to light social conflicts in India, where female land owners are to this day accused of being a Witch by those seeking an excuse to persecute her and claim control of her land.
Her motivation to study relationships between gender, land and conflict are clearly displayed when she states “this relates to food security and nutrition for the family… and it also relates to education. Because studies show that when women have decisions and control over funds, they invest more in the family- in nutrition, health and education.” When considering the purpose of her research on this topic, Celine seems determined to reveal the barriers to achieving land rights for women, and the related conflicts experienced legally and socially, in order to make steps towards increasing the prevalence and security of women’s land ownership in and amongst communities.
Moses, Mzimba Youth Organization (Malawi)
In Malawi, Moses has used the case of the Mzimba district to explore how land-grabbing and extractive industries intersect with gender dynamics to disproportionately impact women in rural Malawi. The Mzimba district is known for being rich in natural resources, however also contains a high prevalence of poverty, weak land governance structures and entrenched patriarchal norms. Moses’ study therefore examines the structural and systematic dimensions of land related conflict, making a compelling case for a gender-responsive land governance framework, integrating legal reform, grassroots empowerment and sustainability.
Moses used a mixed methods approach to capture both quantitative and qualitative data to inform the study findings, in the form of household surveys, GIS mapping and informant interviews to capture detailed lived experiences. These findings revealed that not only are women excluded from land ownership and governance processes, but they also experience the largest impacts of land dispossession, such as gender-based violence, economic vulnerability and increased labour burdens. In response to these challenging yet crucial findings, Moses’ study calls for a gender-responsive land governance model that focuses on legal reform, sustainable land use and cultural transformation in the region.
When considering his personal value of being involved in such a study, Moses described the rare opportunity this research provided him to amplify the lived experiences of rural women in the Mzimba district, many of whose experiences of land dispossession and resistance go undocumented. A striking realisation that he experienced was the significant disconnect between policy and practice in Malawi, a country often applauded for its progressive legal frameworks such as the Gender Equality Act. It was revealed to Moses that these laws often only exist on paper, and that many women live under customary systems in which male authority still reigns.
Despite this, Moses was inspired by the courage, collective power and resilience of these sidelined women, as they form informal networks to challenge the patriarchal norms that oppress them. This ability for them to organise and reimagine land justice without external support revealed to Moses a powerful revolution amassing in the villages.
Across India and Malawi, women continue to face barriers to land ownership and control– barriers rooted in patriarchal norms, customary laws and exclusionary legal systems.
The work of individuals like Sonia, Celine and Moses, alongside grassroot organisations Swadhina and Mzimba Youth Organisation, demonstrates that meaningful change is possible. Their efforts highlight a crucial truth that land rights are not just about legal entitlement, but also about security, dignity, and most importantly, power to shape one’s future.
Importantly, the ongoing research by Badabon Sangho, Bangladesh on land ownership induced gender-based violence offers a vital next step in deepening the understanding of how control over land intersects with power, violence, safety and systematic discrimination. By recognising these factors, Badabon Sangho advocates for placing women’s land rights as a significant factor in achieving gender justice. As they rightly point out, “Empowering women's voices, leadership, and land rights is about more than just equity; it's also about changing power dynamics and fostering a more equitable society."