Housing ownership Gender differences in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

• Men and women in low-income areas of Dhaka, Bangladesh reported the similar level dwelling ownership. The gender equality is interesting in a context where gender gaps in property ownership in general are large. • The level of gender equality in reported housing ownership is also in line with other dimensions of rights (such as rights to sell, rent out, and bequeath). • Women express greater concern about eviction than men (22 percent versus 15 percent). • Documented ownership (essentially the perceived ownership based on documents that can be used as evidence of occupancy rights) is correlated with perceived tenure security; by having a form of housing ownership document, women’s concerns about eviction reduces by 23 percentage points, compared to 11 percentage points for men.