Gender Roles and Practices in Land Access, Ownership and Utilization in West Usambara, Tanzania

Abstract

Tanzania's land laws protect and guarantees gender equality in access, ownership, and utilization of land. However, the extent to which these legal frameworks have enabled gender equality in the country regarding access, ownership, and utilization of land is not well known. This paper assessed gender relations in access, ownership, and utilization of land in West Usambara Mountains Lushoto District, Tanga Region, North Eastern Tanzania. A purposive sampling of 100 respondents (49 men and 51 women) was obtained to participate in the study. A structured questionnaire was used to interview respondents and focus group discussions with key informants were conducted. Qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis techniques including thematic analysis of texts and indexing. Results show that despite a progressive legal framework, women are still marginalized in land access, ownership, and utilization. This is because of the co-existence of dissimilar structures (traditional, formal and religious land laws), as well as long-established traditional that continue to perpetuate gender disparity. It is proposed that efforts should be made to empower women to use the existing legal structures to demand and promote own land rights.