Women’s Property Rights Violations in Kenya

Abstract

This chapter reports the serious violations of women's human rights that arise from a discriminatory property rights regime and a lack of will on the part of courts and the government in Kenya. It begins by describing women's status in Kenya. In addition, it presents the personal accounts that show property rights abuses suffered by widows from rural and urban areas, women whose parents have died, divorced or separated women, and married women who lack control over their matrimonial property. The consequences of women's property rights violations are explained. Women's property rights violations in Kenya are induced and provoked by a blend of discriminatory laws, customs, and attitudes combined with ineffective institutions, official disregard, widespread ignorance of rights, and other obstacles to their enforcement.