Role of Socio-Cultural Factors on Women’s Right to Land Ownership A Case of Ifakara Morogoro, Tanzania

Abstract

ABSTRACT Context and background Access to and ownership of land are important for reducing discrimination. Women’s right to land ownership is a growing challenge to different communities, especially in developing countries, whose most of their societies are patrilineal including Tanzania. Goal and Objectives: Assess the gender-based opinions on the effect of the socio-cultural factors on women’s right to land ownership and the extent to which communities perceive women's right to land to contribute to community development. Methodology: The study used cross-sectional data and applied quantitative and contet analysis. Sample selected using random sampling to select 120 households that participated in the Land Tenure Support Programme in the Ifakara town Council located in the Morogoro region in Tanzania. Data collected using structured quaetionnnare and chickelists for Focus group discussion and Key informants interviews. Content and descriptive analyses were applied to examine the socio-cultural factors that affect women’s right to land ownership. Results: The study found that six socio-cultural claims namely property ownership, polygamy, the reproductive role of women, men’s supremacy, migration of men and property inheritance impeded women’s right to land ownership. The findings showed statistical significance for claims that contribute to impeding women’s officially land ownership. The study recommended that the government should reinforce the right of women to land ownership within marriage through bylaws; promote a gender-responsive land tenure system through locally made bylaws; and support all training programs about women empowerment.

Keywords

• Socio-cultural factors
• Land ownership
• Women’s right
• Access to land