Over the last decade, we have worked with the government and other NGOs to develop a law that addresses women’s land rights. The Act is one of the most progressive land rights laws in Africa and is the first Liberian law that recognises women’s rights to land. Although the 2003 Inheritance Law defined some land rights for married women (granting them just a third of their husband’s property post-mortem), married women had no land rights outside of inheritance and unmarried women were not able to own land privately or collectively. Women who believe that they can make decisions about land and understand the land rights this law gives them, can fight for land ownership. They must strengthen and uphold the Land Rights Act, showcasing that we can achieve gender equality by guaranteeing women’s land rights, in Liberia and worldwide.

Source: Front Page Africa April 03, 2019 10:18 UTC