Land laws in India consistently use masculine pronouns and very often refer to men as the primary or exclusive legal subjects. These linguistic choices often produce social consequences that damage and limit the identity, dignity and equal opportunities for women.
Landesa’s Beth Roberts, Gina Alvarado, and Melissa Padilla examine the parallels between reproductive rights, the still-raging fight to affirm equal personhood for women in the United States, and the global movement to advance women’s human rights by securing their rights to land.
Masalu Luhula discusses how the use of simplified legal guides is helping to empower communities to engage in dialogue and negotiations with government authorities and investors – and to promote socially responsible land-based investment.
The fight for gender equality is a story of bias and prejudices. Twelve women are breaking those biases by starting a collective farm in their village.
Helping young people access land allows them to participate in rural economies while making progress on gender equity, food security, and adaptation to climate change.