Rights of Women in Collective Titling and Resource Management: Models and Best Practices

The session focused on enhancing women's rights in collective titling and resource management, highlighting successful models and best practices from various global contexts. The introductory remarks framed the discussion around the importance of expanding women's participation and rights in land and forest management, establishing a foundation for the subsequent presentations. Margaret Rugadya provided an overview of current practices and a conceptual framework, detailing specific indicators that measure women's inclusion in land and forest governance. This was followed by a case study from the Democratic Republic of Congo, presented by Esperance Binyuki, showcasing how Community Forest Titles are strengthening Indigenous women's land rights and enhancing their role in managing natural resources. A Brazilian case study, led by Carmen Lucia, focused on the Babacu Coconuts Breakers—an example of women who have moved beyond restrictive tenure types to secure exclusive harvesting rights, illustrating the intersection of women's empowerment and sustainable resource use. Bharati Pathak then examined the situation in patriarchal Nepal, discussing how forest user groups are addressing gender-based property violence and working to reduce disparities through collective management. The session emphasized the diverse strategies employed across regions to enhance women's access to land and resources, stressing the significance of culturally tailored solutions. An interactive Q&A session allowed for further exploration of the topics presented, while the closing remarks synthesized key takeaways, highlighting the need for policies that support women's collective rights to ensure equitable and sustainable resource governance.


This resource has been made available by the organizers of the World Bank Land Conference under the following disclaimer.