Advancing Women Access to Land and Property Rights in Tanzania
Advancing Women Access to Land and Property Rights in Tanzania
2018 - 2019
ENVIROCARE implemented the Advancing Women’s Access to Land and Property Rights project in Kilindi District, Tanga Region, to strengthen women’s ability to access, own, use, and protect land and property, including inheritance rights.
The project worked with women, community paralegals, Ward Tribunals, local government authorities, and communities to improve legal awareness and access to justice, particularly for women facing land, property, inheritance, and family-related disputes.
What We Did
ENVIROCARE trained 80 community paralegals from 10 wards on key laws and human rights, including land and property law, marriage and succession, the law of the child, sexual offences, labour law, and Tanzania’s court system.
The project established community-based legal aid mechanisms through paralegal desks and provided legal information, advice, referrals, and free legal aid to community members. Legal awareness materials were also distributed to communities, while Ward officials received training on property rights, alternative dispute resolution, and records management.
Project Impact
The project significantly strengthened community access to legal information and assistance. A total of 242 clients received legal aid from trained paralegals, of whom 129 (53.31%) were women.
Women increasingly sought legal support on issues affecting their rights, including land disputes, inheritance, marital conflicts, eviction, domestic violence, and property-related cases. The project also contributed to resolving disputes through mediation and alternative dispute resolution, reducing the need for some cases to proceed to formal courts.
The work of paralegals helped increase community awareness of human rights and contributed to a positive shift in attitudes towards women’s rights to own and inherit property. Local government authorities and Ward Tribunals also became more supportive of community paralegal services and increasingly recognized the importance of protecting women’s rights in the resolution of disputes.
Lasting Contribution
The project established a stronger community-based legal support system in Kilindi by equipping local paralegals with knowledge and practical skills to continue providing legal information and assistance within their communities.
The growing confidence and commitment of the trained paralegals created a foundation for sustainable access to justice and stronger protection of women’s land and property rights beyond the project period.
ENVIROCARE ON THE FIELD
Field photos and videos
Participants of paralegals training during one of the training session
Envirocare Project Staff Michael Mushi guiding a Member of Ward Tribunal at Kwediboma who is eager to learn to write his name
SUCCESS STORYTHE JOY OF OWNING LAND AND ENJOYING THE PROJECT BENEFIT
Mama Nemganga Lokelo a widow and a mother of 6 and grandmother to three children was proud to be among the 30 villagers to own a customary land title in Balang’a village. Mama Lokelo was left with her children and grandchildren to look after when her husband passed away. “I depend on the land for all my needs and support my children with the products harvested on the land” she shared her joy of owning her land with Envirocare staff during a monitoring visit.