Rooted in change: Mwavita’s path to land and leadership

In Burundi, where over 90% of the population relies on agriculture for their livelihood, land is not just a resource—it’s a foundation for economic security, social status, and community influence. Yet for many women, access to and control over land remain out of reach. Despite national legal frameworks designed to ensure gender equality in land ownership—including the 2018 Land Code and Article 122 of the Constitution—customary law and patriarchal norms continue to dominate practice over policy.

This gender imbalance has far-reaching consequences. Only 17.7% of landowners in Burundi are women, compared to 62.5% who are men. Without land titles, women struggle to access credit, invest in their livelihoods, or influence household decisions. The result is a systemic barrier to both gender equity and national development.

As land ownership is overwhelmingly male-dominated, the imbalance significantly hinders women’s ability to access loans or credit, as they lack the land titles needed for collateral. According to UN Women’s 2023 Burundi Country Gender Equality Profile, “There is very little access to agricultural credit for women heads of household, since they do not have the collateral security required.”

Burundi’s customary law follows a patrilineal inheritance system, meaning land is passed primarily through male lineage. Even when a woman contributes significantly to the land’s upkeep or development, her rights are often overlooked unless she was formally gifted the land or had it titled in her name. While the law permits equal access, practice remains far behind. As stated in a USAID land tenure profile, “In the absence of sons, the male next-of-kin become heirs,” often sidelining wives and daughters.

Another common barrier is unauthorised land transactions by male family members—often without the knowledge or consent of their wives. Women, lacking formal documentation or recognition, are frequently powerless to contest such actions. As highlighted in a study by Wageningen University, men often assert unilateral control, claiming, "it is his property, and he can do with it whatever he likes,” despite potential objections from his wife or other female household members.

Recognising the deeply rooted nature of land inequality, SNV in Burundi has adopted a multi-faceted strategy to reshape the systems that sustain injustice to strengthen women’s land rights and economic and social agency.

However, sustainable change demands a shift in cultural norms. Through targeted advocacy, some local authorities have begun allowing women to be registered on land titles, even in systems that traditionally permit only one name. To date, 207 women in the target areas have successfully secured land certificates, a foundational step toward long-term empowerment and security.

Despite this progress, several barriers continue to hinder women’s access to land registration. Administrative procedures remain lengthy, complex, and costly, factors that disproportionately discourage women. Additionally, land registration taxes ranging from 3% to 10% pose a significant financial burden, while widespread lack of awareness about women’s legal rights further limits their ability to claim land ownership.

For Mwavita, a farmer in rural Burundi, the barriers were all too familiar. Although she had worked the land with her husband for years, it was never registered in her name. When disputes arose within the extended family about control over the land, Mwavita found herself vulnerable.

Through PADANE’s training sessions, Mwavita and her husband began to rethink long-held beliefs about land ownership. The support they received helped them understand the importance of legal land registration, not just for themselves, but for the future of their children.

Mwavita’s experience shows what’s possible when efforts to advance inclusion are embedded in real systems—not just as ideals, but as practical change. Her story reflects the value of recognising women’s contributions, creating space for participation, and ensuring access to tools and information supporting long-term opportunity.

To achieve equity in land rights, the focus must extend beyond individuals. Strengthening local institutions, improving legal literacy, and adapting financial services to meet women’s needs are all essential to shifting power and opening space for lasting change.

Through initiatives like PADANE, linking legal access, economic opportunity, and inclusive decision-making offers an approach that can deliver impact beyond individuals and scales across communities.

Because when women have the means to shape their own futures, communities thrive—and development becomes truly inclusive.