1. 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,

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. Thank You!