Farm Radio Weekly

The situation of Catherine Chukwuma – of a woman losing her family’s farmland after her husband’s death – is common. But fortunately, organizations such as the Dynamic Women’s Group are also becoming more common. Such groups help women to know and protect their rights. Mrs. Chukwuma may have initially felt powerless when her husband’s brothers came to take over the farmland. But she would learn that although their actions (sometimes known as “property grabbing”) may have been allowed under traditional or customary law, they were against modern state laws. In this case, resolution was found by appealing to the traditional council.

For more information on women’s land rights in relation to customary and state laws, you may refer to the following articles:
-“Gender Issues in Land Tenure under Customary Law,” published by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR):
http://www.capri.cgiar.org/wp/..%5Cpdf%5Cbrief_land-05.pdf
-“Women’s Right to Land: A Human Right,” published by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization: http://www.fao.org/NEWS/2002/020302-e.htm

These DCFRN scripts deal with the issue of women’s property rights in various ways. If you air this news story, you may wish to round out your broadcast with one of the following:

-“Protect Gender Equality and Empower Women” (Package 78, Script 3, July 2006), featuring an interview with a women’s rights advocate in Uganda

-“Women, Property, and Inheritance” (Package 73, Script 4, January 2005), featuring a fictionalized interview with a lawyer about inheritance laws

-“Land Ownership Rights: Access Denied – Why Women Need Equal Access to Land” (Package 57, Script 9, October 2000), a drama in which a husband and wife discuss land rights and customary law

-“Why Women Need to Know About Land Rights” (Package 37, Script 7, July 1995), a straightforward dialogue addressed to women in the listening audience

As customary laws and effective methods of protecting women’s land rights will vary from place to place, you may wish to invite a local lawyer, member of a women’s rights group, or other knowledgeable advocate, to discuss questions such as:
-What threats are posed to women’s property rights in your area?
-What actions can a woman take to ensure that she will retain control of family property if her husband dies?
-If a woman has experienced “property grabbing” following her husband’s death, what action can she take? What sorts of resources are available to help her defend her land rights?
-Can the guest describe a situation where a woman successfully fought her husband’s family’s (or someone else’s) attempt to take her land or other property? What factors led to her success in defending her rights?

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