IMPLEMENTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN ZAMBIA: Realizing Women’s Access to State Land

Abstract

Context and Background:

The Government of the Republic of Zambia has strengthened the policy and legal frameworks to support gender equality and women's empowerment. Although there are no legal barriers to women’s property rights in Zambia as stipulated in the country’s respective gender policy or land laws, in practical terms, this provision has yet to yield much success regarding women’s state land ownership.

Goal and Objectives:

This paper aims at establishing the situation regarding women’s access to state land and investigating the obstacles preventing the implementation of the policy and legal frameworks concerning women’s access to state land.

Methodology:

Primary data were obtained from five purposively selected institutions: Kalulushi Municipal Council, Chingola Municipal Council, Chililabombwe Municipal Council, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and Zambia Land Alliance (Kitwe office). The data collection method used with the key informants was in-depth face-to-face interviews. Office management at each institution chose the key informant based on their expertise and experience on the subject. Primary data were further collected from ninety-six (96) women working in the formal and informal sectors. In particular, thirty-two (32) women from each case study area, were randomly selected, and the questionnaire method was used for data collection. Secondary data were obtained through desk research and documents collected from the government offices.

Results:

Research findings from Kalulushi, Chingola, and Chililabombwe Municipal Councils revealed that the provision under the 2014 National Gender Policy of allocating 50 percent of available state land to women was never achieved from 2014 to 2021. There are various obstacles preventing women from accessing state land. These included but not restricted to information gap, complex procedure for accessing state land, high plot fees, low gender mainstreaming, cultural norms and traditions, and limited women’s participation in decision-making over land matters, In view of the foregoing, gender equality in access to state land can be addressed through: improving the sensitization programs of municipal councils on women's land rights; streamlining the procedure for accessing state land; addressing poverty among women through reducing plot fees and keeping low the land administration costs; ensuring understanding of gender equality and gender mainstreaming in the land sector by policy implementers; building awareness of demerits of cultural norms and traditions; and facilitating women's participation in the decision-making process and community mobilization initiatives.