Public Awareness Debates on Women’s Land Rights

Topic: Gender Equality

East Africa

Co-financing

Human Rights & Civ. Soc.

Learn&Share: knowhow3000

Problem & solution

Women in Songwe District face systemic barriers to land ownership despite legal protections under Tanzania’s Village Land Act No. 5 of 1999. Cultural norms, lack of awareness, and poor representation in Village Land Tribunals prevent women from exercising their rights. Many lack Certificates of Customary Rights of Occupancy (CCROs), and decisions on land governance often exclude women. These challenges perpetuate gender inequality and limit women’s economic independence.

The solution was to conduct public debates and legal awareness sessions that educated communities, challenged established norms, and promoted joint land ownership between men and women.

the experience

ADP Mbozi conducted public debates in 13 villages of Songwe District. The activities included:

Community Engagement through Public Debates: ADP Mbozi organized inclusive forums where women, men, and local leaders openly discussed barriers to women’s land rights. These debates created a safe space for dialogue and helped challenge established norms.
Legal Awareness and Expert Guidance: Facilitators, including legal experts, explained key provisions of the Village Land Act and addressed misconceptions. Interactive Q&A sessions allowed participants to seek clarification and relate the law to their daily realities.
Role of Local Leaders and Institutions: Village leaders and land tribunal members were actively involved, bridging gaps between formal law and customary practices. Their participation was crucial for sustainability and trust-building.
Use of Learning Materials: Simplified leaflets and posters were distributed to reinforce learning beyond the sessions. These IEC (Information, Education and Communication) materials served as reference points for families and communities.

01

Challenges

01

Patriarchal inheritance customs: Women often excluded from land ownership because property is supposed to remain in the male lineage
Double standards: Widows often lose rights to land if they remarry, while men retain theirs
Poor representation of women in Village Land Tribunals
Low uptake of CCRO registration and mostly done by men

02

Impact

02

1,921 participants sensitized on women’s land rights
Men began adding wives’ names to CCROs for joint ownership
Increased dialogue on gender equality in land governance
Women gained confidence to claim and defend land rights

03

Lessons Learned

03

Public debates are effective for challenging established norms: e.g. some men initially resisted joint land ownership but changed behaviour after understanding legal and social benefits
Legal clarity is essential: Many participants misunderstood the Village Land Act; expert-led Q&A and feedback loops corrected these gaps
Tribunals with only symbolic female members fail: real representation and active participation is supported by mentorship and confidence-building

Realisation period 2025

Location Songwe, Tansania

Contact Lyochi Juma, Project Coordinator

Partner organisation - Actions for Development Programmes - Mbozi (ADP-Mbozi)

The Tanzanian NGO Actions for Development Programs (ADP) – Mbozi was founded in 1986 and seeks to improve people's quality of life through food security and new income opportunities. The current project builds on the experience gained from previous phases in partnership with Welthaus Graz and the DKA since 2007 and with HORIZONT3000 since 2017.