BUILDING EVIDENCE ON RURAL WOMEN STRUGGLES FOR LAND RIGHTS IN TANZANIA: THE QUEST FOR KNOWLEDGE, RECOGNITION AND PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING PROCESSES Godfrey Eliseus Massay March, 22. 2017

Introduction Land- a terrain of struggle. Rural women have experienced the struggle in both collectively and individually held land. Culture/ tradition, religion, formal system have hindered women from claiming their land rights Women have negotiated their land rights through both formal and informal system.

Methodology Three selected cases Trained volunteers (LRMs) Mainstreaming gender using village bylaw Establishing women leadership forum All cases show Intervention of CSOs Movement from above Grassroots movements Movement from below Findings/data Based on authors work (LRMs) From evaluation/research by implementing organizations

Land Rights Monitors Trained volunteers – Hakiardhi and TNRF Started since 2008 Succeeded in Training villagers Demand transparency and accountability Negotiate land deals Dispute settlement Access to justice Women Resolved inheritance cases Participation of women in decision making bodies Protect communal land

Mainstreaming Gender Using Model Village Bylaw Developed by WRI, LEAT and TAWLA Based on the research finding that women were not fully involved in decision related to land acquisition Piloted in two villages in Kisarawe district where there are ongoing land based investments. Bylaws developed through a consultative process Adopted by other two villages Ongoing lobbing to have then adopted at the national level. Helped women- participate in decision making process

Women Leadership Forum Established and supported by Maliasili Initiative, UCRT, and PW Identify problem Find strategy to resolve it Mobilize and coordinate women Strengthen role of women on leadership WLF Gained legitimacy Space for women’s customary leadership institution Resist eviction in Loliondo Increased confidence to engage in strengthening women land rights

Discussion/Conclusion Knowledge – All cases have some aspects of capacity building. Recognition-Both formal and informal institutions Decision Making process- WLF, and bylaw Movement from below complemented the movement from above. Cases providing lessons-useful for documenting women’s rights under agenda 2030.

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