Table II.5: Proposed Actions at the National Level

Proposed implementable actions

Comments

1.        Engendering National Constitutions/Formation of National Gender Policies.

·          Give examples of ‘Good’ constitutions

·          Ensure that there are explicit references to women’s land/property rights

·          Propose ways to promote and protect these rights

·          Articulate institutional mechanisms for monitoring and recourse in the event of violations

·          Propose the inclusion of an unequivocal equality clause giving the constitution precedence over customary law in case of conflict

·          Recommend the incorporation of international instruments, such as CEDAW

2.        Issues Relating to National Gender Policies

·          Ensure thorough consultation of women in developing NGP’s

·          Incorporate land issues in favor of women

·          Propose a framework for monitoring

·          Provide guidelines for addressing issues of women and land

·          Integrate issues concerning women and land in the National Development Plans

3.        Reforming/Reviewing the Laws

·          Ensure that the law clearly defines the entities in relation to property rights e.g. family, spouse, types of contractual agreements etc.

·          Ensure consistency with CEDAW provisions/international and regional instruments

·          Give examples of laws that have impact on women’s property rights, and that should be reviewed.

4.        Providing Legal Literacy Programs/Services, Creating Media Strategies and Public Forums on Women’s Land Rights

·          Incorporate women land rights as part of legal and human rights education in the school curriculum.

Proposed implementable actions

Comments

5.        Documenting Women’s Realities Regarding Land

·          Demonstrate the implications of denial of land (to women) on the national economies/poverty reduction/political realities (Refer to work done in Somalia, that links the lack of access to instability)

·          Use of the media as a stakeholder, mobilizer, watchdog.  New number include any success stories as a learning tool e.g. the one on Rwanda

·          Compile an annotated bibliography of what literature exists

6.        Formation of National Task Forces on Women Land Rights

·          Specify who would form the task forces (EASRDC and EASSI to take the lead in triggering action)

·          Develop broad TORs for the task forces

·          Link up with other initiatives e.g. the National Committees for follow-up of Habitat II, and Housing International Coalition

·          Forge diplomatic strategies for raising awareness on land issues

7.        Establishing Women’s ‘de facto’ Inheritance Rights

·          Establish support mechanisms for the recognition of ‘de facto’ rights

8.        Strengthening Land Claims through Channels other than Inheritance

·          Review criteria used in land allocations (to ensure no discrimination against women)

·          Allow for affirmative action in land allocation

9.        Exploring Joint Management and Promoting Infrastructural Support by Women

·          No additions suggested

10.     Building Group Support Among and for Women

·          Specify actions at both local and national levels

11.     Politicizing Women’s Land Rights

·          Propose intervention at different levels – parliaments, international for a

·          Insist on representation of women in decision making processes (with respect to land)

·          Go beyond lobbying to implementation

·          Promote infrastructural support, credit etc.