Do rural women realized land tenure security rights? South Wollo, Ethiopia

Land is a valuable resource, with economic, political, and cultural significance for the rural poor. Land rights are fundamental to eradicate poverty. Strengthening women's land rights is increasingly on national and international agendas. The previous studies fail to investigate the status of rural women in realizing their tenure security rights in the frame work of the revised proclamation no. 133/2006. This study analyzed the current status of rural women in realizing land tenure rights in the South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia. Data were collected from 198 sample households and 83 key informants selected following a multistage sampling technique. The data were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative techniques. The qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The results of the study reveal that 39% of rural women in the study area practiced the experience of transferring land tenure rights according to proclamation no. 133/2006. The study shows that 37.66% of respondents undertook different land right transfers in written form according to proclamation no. 133/2006 article 17(5-6) at land administration offices. Understanding the rights and obligations of transferring tenure rights is an important aspect of reducing land disputes among landholders. In the presence of land disputes, rural women use both formal and informal dispute resolution mechanisms. Therefore, the study concludes that large numbers of rural women realized their landholding and using rights. To better improve the tenure security of rural women, further awareness creation activities and counseling of women are imperative by the local government and other non-governmental organizations working of tenure security, sustainable land management, and women's land right.