Resource information
The subject of ownership rights is of great importance in every country, as it affects in many ways the lives of people from different backgrounds. However, the most effected group could be the poor. In many countries, the poor depend on their land to sustain their livelihood; hence, the issue of ownership rights is of significant importance for them and for their economic performance.
In Jordan, ownership rights are governed by a number of legislations and are subject to different formal procedures. Such legislations and procedures would usually add complications to the "relationship" of the poor with their property or what they would perceive as their property. More importantly, however, the poor may find themselves in a position where they have to prove their ownership right to their property. Such difficulties would primary rise during the settlement process of lands in different areas in the Kingdom.
On the other hand, the Government through a number of legislations, had introduced mechanisms to enable the poor to own a land or a house. The role of the Government comes as a supporter to the poor through introducing different schemes that are designed to provide land and housing to the poor for no or minimal value. Such schemes are also governed by certain set of legislations and procedures.
Therefore, the paper concludes that enforcement of property rights of the poor is mainly a matter of compliance with the legal system in place. In practice, such system may not be user friendly to the poor to comply with. Reasons for this include social pressure, lack of knowledge and access to information, and the status of women in the society whereby in many cases women may be forced to waive their rights in any estate or property to the favor of males.
