Rural Land Governance and Women Marginalisation in Amhara Regional State

Abstract

Women have international and national rights to use, control, transfer, and inherit rural land. Unless laws and institutions are strong enough, women’s land rights can’t be effectively discharged. Moreover, the different socioeconomic status of women highly affects their land rights. This study has the objective of exploring land acquisition, landholding, and land transfer rights and practical challenges in North Mecha Woreda. The study has applied phenomenological qualitative research design. The findings show that the status of land acquisition, control, inheritance, and use is highly affected by the socioeconomic status of women. Moreover, women’s rights to land inheritance are highly affected due to the culture of male domination. This study recommends that there has to be legal protection to women to fully exercise their land rights to use, control, and transfer. These needs stretching the structure of Women, Children and Social Affairs Office at Kebele level of administration.