About
Women farmers in Uganda make tremendous contributions of labour to their households and communities. Despite this, the majority of women are denied their rightful ownership of land due to a lack of protection in policy and law, as well as patriarchal social and cultural beliefs.
The denial of women’s land rights in Uganda greatly increases their economic vulnerability, making them less inclined to invest in cultivating their land and increasing the burden of their unpaid care work. Widows and women with disabilities are even more at risk. In Northern Uganda, these issues are further compounded by prolonged conflict that has deeply affected the region.
To support women to secure full ownership of their land as well as greater protection from policy and law, ActionAid Australia partnered with ActionAid Uganda to support women to increase their awareness and understanding of their rights. Their access to justice has been strengthened through engagement with local paralegals and legal aid clinics.
Impact
Through this project, 759 women and 1,092 men were supported through legal clinics, and 126 land cases were identified for action. 35 cases of violence against women, related to land conflicts, were successfully addressed. In addition, this project provides spaces for women in the districts of Amuru and Nwoya in Northern Uganda to freely discuss issues relating to their land rights and builds their collective power to address these issues.