Stories
From Tanzania to Algeria, rural women are taking charge of their lives and livelihoods
Thursday, September 12, 2019
A recently organized learning visit brought two rural women’s collectives together to share strategies, insights and experiences. In the world of international development, such exchanges are termed “South–South cooperation”—exchange of ideas, experiences, and opportunities between entrepreneurs, communities, and experts from the Global South. “It enabled both organizations to monitor and analyse the impact of their projects on the quality of lives of women in Tanzania and Algeria, consulting each other on alternatives and progress in their livelihoods systems and value chains.”
In the Bolivian Amazon, women are protecting the forest and empowering themselves
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
While parts of the Amazon are in flames across Brazil and eastern Bolivia—from fires largely caused by burning to clear arable land—communities in northern Bolivia are protecting their forests through a series of economic empowerment projects.
Ask an activist: Why are women lacking land rights in Tanzania and what can be done about it?
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Elizabeth Maro Minde is the Managing Director of Kilimanjaro Women Information Exchange Community Organization in Tanzania, a grantee of UN Women’s Fund for Gender Equality. Minde and her organization provides legal counselling and representation to marginalized women in rural communities. She spoke to UN Women during the 63rd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women about the issue of land rights.
From where I stand: “I want to get involved in decision making in my community”
Friday, February 1, 2019
Sella Esther Sowa, 42, grows and sells vegetables to support her four children, her nephews and her parents in Kenema in the Eastern Province, Sierra Leone. When a dispute over land rights erupted within Sowa’s family, she decided to take a stand.
Land rights at last for Sulaliyyate women in Morocco
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
After 10 years of advocacy, ethnic Sulaliyyate women of Morocco finally have equal land rights. On 23 July, a State-run lottery distributed some 860 plots of land equally among men and women, as part of ongoing efforts to privatize land throughout the country.
From where I stand: “We want to be heard, to be recognized, this land is ours”
Monday, April 16, 2018
As the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues opens today at the UN, focusing on the theme of “Indigenous peoples’ collective rights to lands, territories and resources”, here is what Alice Lesepen has to say. From the indigenous community of Rendille Community in Marsabit County, Kenya, Ms. Lesepen works with women at the grassroots level, with a focus on the empowerment of indigenous women. She spoke to UN Women recently on what are the top priorities of her community.
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
In Albania, although the civil and family law recognize women’s equal right to land and property, only a small percentage of women own land, because the laws are not implemented. The Centre for Legal and Civic Initiatives, supported by UN Women, is working in 10 municipalities across Albania to increase access to information about women’s property rights.
Stepping out of the Boma: Maasai women of Tanzania take charge of their own lives and livelihood
Thursday, October 13, 2016
In Tanzania, UN Women and partner workshops have empowered hundreds of Maasai women to acquire land, find additional employment and diversify their economic activities to supplement their families’ income.
From where I stand: Khateeja Mallah
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Khateeja Mallah (Durdana), 31, is a widow from Pakistan’s Dadu District in Sindh Province. She is one of 1,214 landless women farmers who have received land tenancy rights through a programme being implemented by UN Women, FAO and ILO.
Landless women farmers receive land tenancy for the first time in Pakistan
Friday, January 29, 2016
UN Women Pakistan, in collaboration with local partners Baanhn Beli and Gorakh Foundation, is working with 1,214 vulnerable rural women farmers to acquire land tenancy rights from their feudal and tribal landholders.
Helping Nepali widows regain their footing
Monday, June 22, 2015
Ahead of International Widows Day, we shine a spotlight on efforts to help female-headed households overcome challenges in post-earthquake Nepal.
Our expert's take: Why do women remain invisible, in spite of their presence?
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Venge Nyirongo joined UN Women's Economic Empowerment Section in March 2014, to support the organization's strategic and policy focus on Sustainable Development. He writes about women's critical, yet often unrecognized, role in food security.
Women’s land rights are human rights, says new UN report
Monday, November 11, 2013
A woman’s right to own and control land is directly linked to the protection of her human rights, such as security, autonomy and freedom from discrimination. While several existing international human rights and policy instruments support this principle, a new publication highlights that there is an urgent need to adopt laws, policies and programmes to implement it effectively.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Ensuring that women have better access to, and control of, natural resources such as land, water, forests and minerals can improve the chances of long-term peace and recovery in war-torn countries, according to a new report released by the United Nations today.
Property and inheritance rights key to empowering women living with HIV, say grass-roots groups
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
At a recent dialogue in Gambia, regional networks of women living with HIV called on policymakers to address women’s property and inheritance rights in the context of HIV.
First women’s cooperatives changing lives and lands in Upper Egypt
Monday, October 14, 2013
A cattle-raising cooperative in Luxor has secured decent jobs and working conditions where 26 women earn an income and are the primary decision-makers on land and the division of labour.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Message by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka for International Day of Rural Women, 15 October, 2013
Phase II Grantees & Project Descriptions
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Phase II grantees and project descriptions of UN Women’s "Action to Promote the Legal Empowerment of Women in the Context of HIV and AIDS"
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
Thursday, August 8, 2013
UN Women supports the efforts of indigenous women who are bringing change in their communities worldwide through the Fund for Gender Equality (FGE) and the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women (UNTF), which it administers on behalf of the UN system. Here’s a peek at a few grantees.
Socially-excluded widows mobilize for their rights
Friday, June 21, 2013
Along with partners, UN Women is working on initiatives to support widows in Guatemala, India and Malawi. To mark International Widows Day, a look at the work that is currently underway.