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Women represent about half of the global population, produce the majority of world’s food supply, and perform 60% to 80% of the agricultural work in emerging economies, yet women own less than 20% of land worldwide.
In more than half the countries in the world, laws or customs undermine or block women’s rights to own, manage, or inherit land or property. This leaves women and the households they lead vulnerable.
Governments and policymakers have a unique opportunity to improve their economy and empower their citizens by ensuring that women’s rights and access to land are protected. Securing women’s land rights has a profound ripple effect on household income, food security, health, and other positive outcomes for women, their families, and communities.
Without land rights families don’t have long-term security to their land and property. That means they don’t have the security and incentive to invest in their land or home to improve their lives. Insecure land rights are a problem in many countries from Afghanistan to Zambia. But it is a particularly common challenge for indigenous people, women, residents of slums, and smallholder farmers in emerging economies. If we want to reduce hunger and conflict, protect the planet, and empower women, we need to strengthen land rights for women, men, and communities around the world.