ASSESSMENT OF WOMEN ACCESS TO LAND IN GUBRE SUB CITY IN CASE OF BUCHACH 01 KEBELE

Abstract

The study is designed to explore the status of rural women in access to land in Gubre sub cityBuchach 01 Kebele. The research applied both quantitative and qualitative methods in view of feminist research methodology to properly address issues from a gender perspective. Survey of318 households was conducted administering questionnaires in the quantitative method. The qualitative method applied was interviews with relevant Bichat of ice and Kebele LACs, focus group discussions with rural women. Triangulation method is applied in data collection, data presentation and in analysis of findings. Study findings reveal that women access rights to Landis less equal than legally provided. This study evidences gaps between policy and implementation. Customary laws andtraditional practices generally have impacts on land access rights of single/unmarried, divorced, widowed women and on access rights of women in polygamous marriages. Women access to land is not ef iciently addressed by the regional rural land policy. This is a significant policy drawback as women equal rights on land could not be achieved without gaining control over land. The land administration system in general and the land registration process in particular has not considered women participation in community activities and decision-making. Study findings indicate absence of autonomous institution as gap in addressing women issues in the land administration system. This study also revealed loose linkages between the rural land policy and other organizational legislation like the family law which provides women equalrights on land in marriage and on its abandonment. This study forwards recommendation to address gender gaps identified to ensure women equal access to and control over land in the study area. The land administration system should consider women participation in the process, their contribution to the system as well as their equal benefits from policy outcomes and needs revision from a gender perspective to address women specific issues.