Women and Land in the Muslim World

This report provides a comprehensive exploration of how Islamic principles and practices intersect with women's access to land across the Muslim world. Developed by UN-Habitat and the Global Land Tool Network (GLTN), the publication examines the opportunities and challenges in advancing gender-equitable land rights within plural legal systems, particularly in contexts where customary, religious, and statutory frameworks coexist. It highlights the often-misunderstood yet potentially empowering provisions within Islamic land law that affirm women’s rights to own, inherit, and manage land. Drawing on case studies, legal analysis, and field experience, the report identifies practical tools, institutional gaps, and promising practices for securing women’s tenure rights in Muslim-majority countries. It advocates for reinterpretation of Islamic texts in light of contemporary gender justice standards, legal reform to eliminate discriminatory practices, and investment in community education and legal empowerment. The publication promotes inclusive land governance mechanisms and supports the implementation of tools such as the Gender Evaluation Criteria and the Social Tenure Domain Model. Aligning with global development agendas, particularly the SDGs and the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure (VGGT), the report underscores the centrality of women’s land rights to achieving equitable development and sustainable peace in the Muslim world.