As a nation, lets reflect on the 1995 Constitution and the 1998 Land Act, both provide for security of land tenure for all citizens. Despite these guaranteed protections on paper, in practice women in Uganda continue to be left defenseless in the face of customary law which is still strictly observed in many parts of the country. Indeed, research has demonstrated that many customary systems in Africa are biased against women. While customary tenure systems vary widely, in many societies, women’s rights over land and natural resources are almost always subordinate to those of men. Men and women alike in the country have been – and continue to be – the victims of illegal evictions from customary land because they don’t possess proof of ownership. However, women in affected regions are especially vulnerable because customary law and practice means that women, widows and their children also face the possibility of losing land to in-laws, neighbors and other opportunists.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 07:06:44 +0000
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