AN ASSESSEMENT ON RURAL LAND USE AND ADMINISTRATION POLICY IMPLEMENTAN WITH RESPECT TO WOMEN’S EQUAL ACCESS AND CONTROL OVER LAND RIGHTS IN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This thesis dealt with assessment on rural land use and administration Policy implementation with respect to Women‟s equal access to and control over land Rights in Ethiopia taking the case of Degem woreda, Ano Kere Peasant Administrations in North Shewa Administrative Zone of Oromia National Regional State. The Specific objectives of the study were to examine implementation of the Federal and Regional Rural Land use and Administration Laws in terms of women‟s access to and control right over rural land, assess the extent of enforcement of International, National and Regional laws regarding women‟s access to and control over rural land in the study area, Explore impacts of customary landholding practices on women‟s access to and control over land in the study area and analyze the practice of land registration and certification in terms of women‟s socio- economic benefits and decision-making power. Based on this, the research applied both quantitative and qualitative methods to properly address issues from a gender perspective. Survey of 294 households was conducted administering questionnaires in the quantitative method. The qualitative method applied was interviews with relevant district Government office officials & experts, Peasant Administration Land Administration Committees (LAC), focus group discussions with rural women, case stories and observation. Study findings reveal that women‟s access rights to land is less equal than legally provided. This study evidences gaps between policy and implementation. According to the study finding, customary laws and traditional practices generally have negative impacts on land access rights of women the study area. Women‟s control over land is not efficiently addressed by the regional rural land policy. The land administration system in general and the land registration process in particular has not considered women‟s participation in community activities and decision-making. Women are not represented in LACs and Sub-Committees in the study area. Study findings indicate absence of autonomous institution as gap in addressing women‟s issues in the land administration system.Therefore, this study forwards recommendations to address gender gaps identified to ensure women‟s equal access to and control over land in the study area. The Oromia rural land proclamation needs revision from a gender perspective to address women‟s specific issues and the land administration system should consider women‟s active participation in the process, their contribution to the system as well as their equal benefits from policy outcomes.