Technology for Land Governance: Ensuring that Women Benefit from the Revolution

Innovative technologies for land governance can promote clear land tenure and effective land administration, reduce corruption, and support economic growth. Mobile technologies offer real-time access to information and open communication between people and government services. These technologies are revolutionizing land governance around the world; however, without additional steps to ensure that women and men equitably benefit from the technology revolution, the application of these technologies may amplify the preexisting inequalities that women face. This paper applies Toyama’s amplification theory of technology to explore women’s differential access, capacity, and perceived motivation for technology adoption and benefits. The paper proposes recommendations for ensuring that new technologies for land governance are responsive to the heterogenous needs and desires of both women and men, including developing technologies with women in mind, user testing new technologies with women, and extensive sensitization.