Prospects and problems of women landownership in Peri-urban areas in Tanzania: a case study of Kinondoni Municipality, Dar es Salaam region

This study examined the main prospects and problems of women land ownership in Mbezi and Bunju areas located in Kinondoni Municipality. The main objective of the study was to examine the main prospects and problems of women’s land ownership and its effects on sustainable livelihoods both at individual, household and community levels. More specifically, the study examined four aspects, namely causes of women’s lack of land ownership, prospects as well as effects of women’s lack of land ownership, and challenges that women face in owning land as well as coping strategies used by women to sustain their livelihoods. To achieve these objectives, 90 respondents including 5 officials responsible with land issues were involved in this study. Both qualitative and quantitative data research methods were used. Structured questionnaires, interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were organized to collect information included in this dissertation. Quantitative data were analyzed by using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) to establish correlations between key variables included in the specific objectives. Overall, the study findings revealed that, despite of government and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) efforts to ensure equal land ownership for men and women, still there is a greater gap. It was revealed that social and cultural norms which exist not only in rural areas but also in urban areas still prohibit women from owning land. However, it was noted that through land, women are assured of many opportunities such as obtaining employment, decision making power and credit accessibility from financial institutions hence establishing different investments. On the other hand, it was revealed that women were facing different problems and challenges in the whole process of land acquisition and ownership. These included, low knowledge on land rights, poor land administration and management, low income, socio- cultural norms and land conflicts such as re-allocation of plots, land grabbing to mention a few. As a coping strategy, some women declared establishing petty businesses, taking their land cases to the court, also engaging in small activities such as quarrying, fishing and mining. Finally, the study recommends several actions to various actors to take measures that should promote and sensitize women land ownership rights from individual to community levels at large. In addition basing on the study findings, it is recommended that the whole system of land bodies need to be reformed and restructured in order to improve its performance and come up with new approaches which basically could help increase the proportion of women owning land.