Who Owns the Land? Rural Women's Access to and Control of Agricultural Land in the Madondo Communal Lands of Gutu District, Zimbabwe

This study was aimed at exploring the issues of lack of gender parity with regards to access and control of agricultural land in Madondo Communal lands of Gutu district. It argues that land is one of the key resources that determine womens living standards, as well as their economic empowerment, and, to a certain extent, their struggle for equity and equality. A number of factors such as economic, legal, social and cultural combine to ensure that womens rights to access, control and pass on land are less secure than those of men. The study used qualitative research methodology. Field data was gathered using key informant interviews, questionnaires and Focus Group Discussions while documentary research involved reviewing different policies and documents on the land tenure system in Zimbabwe. The results revealed that rural women do have access to agricultural land through their families, but do not control the land. It was found that there is no association between access to and control of agricultural land. Some of the recommendations include the need to promote social protection floors, change discriminatory land tenure systems and emphasising the importance of rural women in agriculture.