Religio-Cultural Traditions Hindering Zimbabwean Women From Accessing the Benefits of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme 1

Abstract

One of the most contentious issues in Zimbabwe’s historical programs is the Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP). Since Zimbabwe attained political independence in 1980, various land reforms were implemented over the years, with corresponding modifications to the law and redistribution targets. The most recent initiative, the FTLRP, was introduced in the year 2000 to try and speed up the land redistribution exercise. Unfortunately, the FTLRP did not fully deliver the government’s intended outcomes. Furthermore, it is such a paradox to note that even though Zimbabwean women provide the bulk of agricultural labor, men continue to own most of the land, control women’s labor, and make most of the agricultural decisions. Such a status quo finds fertile ground due to the fact that most rural and farming communities operate on a patriarchal basis. As such, the existing religio-cultural systems perpetuate a male-dominated society. Another factor exacerbating the unequal and unfair land ownership along gender lines is because women’s access to land is usually through their fathers, husbands, brothers, or sons. A combination of all these factors has influenced the exclusion of women from the land redistribution exercise. Hence, the main purpose of this chapter is to examine how the religio-cultural traditions played a significant role in excluding women from the FTLRP. In terms of the research methodology, the chapter utilizes qualitative approaches. Interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data. Purposive sampling was used to select the study participants. In terms of structure, the first part of the chapter chronicles the background to the FTLRP. The next section unveils the types of religio-cultural traditions which excluded women from the FTLRP. This is followed by a section which exposes women’s perceptions on these hindrances. After that, a segment which outlines the strategies to overcome the constraints is presented. The chapter concludes with a section critiquing the religio-cultural traditions which caused the exclusion of women from accessing land during the FTLRP in Zimbabwe.