In Chad, a growing movement of women is fighting for land rights in a country where agriculture is the mainstay of the economy. Despite their critical role in farming, many women in Chad face significant barriers to owning land due to cultural traditions and legal limitations that favor men.
For decades, women in Chad have been largely excluded from land ownership. The country’s customary laws often prevent women from inheriting land or buying property in their own names. This exclusion is even more pronounced in rural areas, where traditional practices dominate. As a result, most women farmers must rely on borrowing land from male relatives or working as laborers on other people’s farms, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and poverty.
However, a group of determined women is challenging this status quo. Supported by local NGOs and international organizations, these women are advocating for legal reforms to secure their right to own and inherit land. “We cannot talk about development if half of the population is left out,” says Fadoul Khadidja, a women’s rights activist. “Women are the backbone of our agriculture, and they deserve to have the same rights as men.”
The push for land rights is crucial in Chad, where agriculture accounts for about 40% of the GDP and employs nearly 80% of the population. Access to land is directly linked to food security and economic stability, especially as the country faces the challenges of climate change and desertification. With arable land becoming scarcer, the fight for land rights is not just about equality but also about survival.
Women’s organizations in Chad are working on multiple fronts to change the narrative. They conduct workshops in rural communities to raise awareness about women’s rights and provide legal assistance to those who wish to challenge discriminatory practices. Some women have already begun to see the fruits of these efforts, securing land titles for the first time in their lives.
One such success story is that of Amina Abdoulaye, a farmer from the central region of Guéra. After her husband died, Amina’s in-laws tried to take away the land she had farmed for years. With the help of a local women’s group, she fought back in court and won the right to keep her land. “This land is my life,” Amina says. “Without it, I have nothing. Now, I can grow enough to feed my children and even sell some at the market.”
The movement for women’s land rights in Chad is also gaining international attention. The United Nations and various human rights organizations have called on the Chadian government to reform its laws and ensure gender equality in land ownership. These calls have been echoed by development agencies, which argue that empowering women farmers is essential to boosting agricultural productivity and fostering sustainable development.
Despite these positive steps, many challenges remain. Resistance from traditional leaders, lack of legal awareness, and bureaucratic hurdles continue to impede progress. Nonetheless, the women of Chad are determined to keep fighting. They believe that securing land rights will not only improve their own lives but also strengthen their communities and build a better future for the next generation.
As Chad navigates these complex issues, there is hope that the growing momentum for change will lead to a more inclusive and equitable society. With each victory, the women of Chad are proving that they are not just passive victims of an unjust system, but active agents of change.
Source: AP News
