In Ilevelo village, women face numerous challenges that affect their ability to own land equally. One of the major challenges is low income, which prevents them from renting land for agricultural activities. This situation limits their capacity to increase their income and improve their livelihood, since land is the main economic resource in rural areas. Another challenge is the high cost of land surveying in order to obtain a Customary Certificate of Right of Occupancy (CCRO). Many women cannot afford to cover these procedures, which leaves them without official documents proving land ownership. As a result, they remain in a vulnerable position, as without CCROs they are at risk of losing their land or being denied their fundamental rights to own and inherit land. In addition, limited financial resources mean that women are often unable to invest in productive farming activities and put them at a disadvantage compared to men, who often have more resources and easier access to land.
Through Tanzania Rural Women Assembly has made an effort to empower rural women through various dialogues which have been conducted in order to sensitize women to own land through establishment of income-generating group, where they came together and identify income-generating activities (Village saving and loan association), which it helps them to save money and get small loans for business establishment/expansion.
Through this income-generating group, three women from Ilevelo village have already benefited from the results of these initiatives, enabling them to improve their livelihoods and move closer to securing land ownership. By being part of the group, women have the opportunity to participate in various types of work that they could not manage individually. The shared income provides them with the ability to meet their daily needs, save money, and invest in other opportunities, including the process of securing land for them. This approach has become a practical solution for addressing the issue of limited resources. As a result of these collective efforts, three women from Ilevelo village have already benefited directly from the group’s initiatives. Their success stories serve as an inspiration to others in the community, proving that through unity and determination, women can improve their livelihoods and take important steps towards achieving land ownership.
