WOMEN AND LAND RIGHTS IN BURUNDI: A BATTLE NOT TO BE ABANDONED

When it comes to women's and girls' land rights, many men are beginning to understand that things are changing, and that there's no more going back. But are women satisfied with these changes?

In the commune of Gatara in Kayanza province, in an exchange with members of the councils of local judiciary memmebrs, the latter confirmed that they were being approached by a growing number of women demanding full ownership, rather than the usual right of temporary use (Igiseke).  This is, they note, a remarkable evolution in custom, in the direction of equality between men and women in terms of access to land. There is still some reluctance to accept this evolution. Some unsatisfied women turn to the courts to assert their rights, often successfully. Their successful experience inspires other women, whose self-confidence grows ever stronger. What's more, such cases retrace the community's path towards the good old values that promise equality, as Burundian wisdom has it, "Nta mwana n'ikinono".

Séverin NIBITANGA, Managing Director of LADEC, with members of the councils of hill notables in Gatara commune.

This positive development affects not only inheritance practices, but also other transactions such as land purchases. In all cases, it's a ray of hope for women and girls who are mobilizing day by day around income-generating activities to acquire their own landholdings and turn them into a source of capital and financial autonomy. This is the case of Bella Carine Gateka from RUSHUBI in the ISARE commune, who has a splendid economic vision after obtaining her land certificate.

When Bella Carine Gateka bought her landed property, many people were astonished, as it's unusual for them to see a young girl owning a portion of land. Members of the seller's family even objected to the sale, and the young lady had to defend her purchase in court. Fortunately, she won the case. Without delay, she had it certified by the Communal Land Service. Today, she enjoys all the rights of an owner, and the land certificate reinforces her sense of security, as she testifies: "It protects me against any other conflict that might arise in the future". It is on this basis that she has already presented her certificate to COOPEC (banking institution) as a guarantee for a loan application to boost her commercial business. Kuri jewe ni agateka kugira itongo niganzira" ("For me, it's an honor to have my own property which I can dispose of as I wish"), she confides.

Let's not forget that historically, women's land rights were flouted with impunity by discriminatory practices. Today, tradition is showing signs of progress, and women's rights are gradually being respected and defended, as we've just seen.

Bella's experience is a wake-up call to those working in this field, and to the administrative authorities, to support the many Burundian women who are afraid to claim their land rights, and to raise community awareness of this very important aspect of equitable access to land and the opportunities it offers.