Land Rights: Mpumalanga Communities' Attitudes Towards Women's Land Ownership

Abstract

The role played by women in agriculture in the world is a salient one, though they continue to face discrimination in accessing and owning land. Notwithstanding the fact that most countries worldwide have signed treaties on women empowerment, and laws that protect women's land rights, women are still unable to assert equal land rights. Patriarchy with its discriminatory social norms and practices is cited as barriers between women and their land rights. Inadequate enforcement of laws regarding women's land rights compounded by poor implementation of policies and lack of political will exacerbates the problem. The South African Constitution of 1996 coupled with other legislation, protects the full rights of all citizens as enshrined in the Bill of Rights under Chapter 2. Access to land for women is said to be crucial in combating discrimination and alleviating poverty. Women who own land are said to have better financial autonomy than those who do not. This qualitative study analysed Mpumalanga communities' attitudes towards women' land ownership. Data was collected through semi-structured interview schedules from one hundred and twenty-three (123) members of the community