Gender Roles and Practices in Land Access, Ownership and Utilization in West Usambara, Tanzania

Juliet Julius Sandy; Gasper Mpehongwa

doi:10.18535/sshj.v8i07.1223

Abstract

Tanzania's land laws protect and guarantees gender equality in access, ownership, and utilization of land. However, the extent to which these legal frameworks have enabled gender equality in the country regarding access, ownership, and utilization of land is not well known. This paper assessed gender relations in access, ownership, and utilization of land in West Usambara Mountains Lushoto District, Tanga Region, North Eastern Tanzania. A purposive sampling of 100 respondents (49 men and 51 women) was obtained to participate in the study. A structured questionnaire was used to interview respondents and focus group discussions with key informants were conducted. Qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis techniques including thematic analysis of texts and indexing. Results show that despite a progressive legal framework, women are still marginalized in land access, ownership, and utilization. This is because of the co-existence of dissimilar structures (traditional, formal and religious land laws), as well as long-established traditional that continue to perpetuate gender disparity. It is proposed that efforts should be made to empower women to use the existing legal structures to demand and promote own land rights.

References

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[refR-3] FAO. (1997). Gender: the key to sustainability and food security. SD Dimensions, May 1997- www.fao.org/sd.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-4] FAO. 2002. Water: Precious and Finite Resource. Rome.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-5] FAO. (1997). “Gender and Participation in Agricultural Development Planning: Lessons from Tanzania.” FAO, Dar es Salaam and Rome.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-6] FAO. 1998. The household livelihood security concept, by T.R. Frankenberger and M.K. McCaston. Food Nutrition and Agriculture, No. 22. Rome.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-7] Howard, P. (2003). Women and Plants, Gender Relations in Biodiversity Management and Conservation. London, ZED BooksGoogle Scholar ↗

[refR-8] Kameri-Mbote, P. (2005). The Land has its Owners! Gender Issues in Land Tenure under Customary Law. UNDP-International Land Coalition Workshop: Land Rights for African Development: From Knowledge to Action Nairobi, October 31 – November 3, 2005 (Proceedings: http://www.undp.org/drylands/lt-workshop-11-05.htm)Google Scholar ↗

[refR-9] Massoi, L W (2019). Gender Roles and Practices in Natural Resource Management Among the Kilosa Maasai in Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Development Studies, Vol. 17, No. 1, 2019: 102-116Google Scholar ↗

[refR-10] Moyo, K. (2017). Women’s Access to Land in Tanzania: The Case of the Makete District. Doctoral Thesis in Real Estate Planning and Land Law, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) Stockholm.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-11] Myenzi, Y. (2009). Women and land Rights in Tanzania. A Paper Prepared for Presentation at the Workshop Organized by Mzumbe University DSM Campus. Available from: http//: www.hakiardhi.org/HA-Docs/women.pdf.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-12] Mollel, N.M. and N.A. Mtenga (2000), Gender Roles in the Household and Farming Systems of Tchenzema, Morogoro - Tanzania, Vol 29Google Scholar ↗

[refR-13] World Bank. (2004). Monitoring and Evaluation: Some Tools, Methods, and Approaches. Washington, DC: World Bank.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-14] Rwebangira, M. K. and M. B. Tungaraza (2003). Review and Assessment of Laws Affecting HIV/AIDS in Tanzania: Summary Booklet. Policy, TAWLA, URT, USAID.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-15] United Republic of Tanzania (URT) (1995). National Land Policy. Ministry of Lands and Human Settlements Development, Dar Es SalaamGoogle Scholar ↗

[refR-16] United Republic of Tanzania (URT) (1977). The Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, Government Printer, Dar es salaamGoogle Scholar ↗

[refR-17] UNCHS (1999). Women’s Rights to Land, Housing and Property in Post-Conflict Situations and During Reconstruction. Global Overview. United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (HABITAT). Nairobi.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-18] United Republic of Tanzania, (2024). The 2022 Population and Housing Census: Tanzania Basic Demographic and Socio-Economic Profile Report. Ministry of Finance, Tanzania National Bureau of Statistics and President’s Office - Finance and Planning, Office of the Chief Government Statistician, Zanzibar.Google Scholar ↗