Gender and Land Rights

Abstract

Land is a useful natural and economic resource, which is central to sustainable livelihoods for both urban and rural populations. Land, property, housing and inheritance rights are inextricably linked (Kothari, 2003:11). Many times a discussion on any of these issues brings forth a focus on another. It is essential that the Commonwealth Secretariat pays attention to land and property rights at this critical time as countries prepare the next ten-year plans of action for women. This paper provides a conceptual framework for looking at the issue and then focuses o n the reality of women's rights to land, property and housing. It then examines some of the standards and norms on land, property and housing at the international and regional level before looking at how these translate to the national level i n terms of constitutional guarantees and legal frameworks. It then looks briefly at the work of N G O s i n the area.