Women Demand Land Ownership Rights at UNCCD

Women are mobilizing to secure legal ownership of the lands they cultivate, a move essential for their autonomy and food security. Despite representing nearly half of the agricultural workforce and producing up to 80% of food in developing nations, women own less than 15% of agricultural land globally. This disparity was the focus of a historic event in Panama this December, where the UNCCD included a gender caucus in its official agenda for the first time. The assembly aims to address the lack of female representation in environmental and agricultural decision-making. By securing land titles, women can access training, financial aid, and make crucial management decisions, reversing years of exclusion.

A significant disparity exists in global agriculture regarding who owns the land versus who works it. According to data, women possess less than 15% of the world's agricultural land. This is despite the fact that women make up nearly half of the agricultural labor force. The imbalance is particularly stark in developing regions affected by environmental challenges.

In countries suffering from desertification, soil degradation, and drought, women are the backbone of food production. They are responsible for producing up to 80% of the food consumed in these vulnerable areas. However, without legal ownership, their ability to make long-term decisions regarding soil health and crop management is severely restricted.

The lack of ownership creates a cycle of dependency. Without a deed, women cannot:

• Access government aid programs
• Receive formal agricultural training
• Make binding decisions on land management
• Secure loans using land as collateral

In a landmark move for gender equality, the UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification) held a dedicated gender caucus this December. The meeting took place in Panamá and marked the first time such an assembly was included in the official agenda of the committee's annual review.

The inclusion of this caucus signals a shift in the global approach to environmental management. For too long, the voices of women have been absent from the high-level discussions that dictate agricultural and environmental policy. The gathering in Panama provided a platform to highlight these specific challenges.

Participants argued that securing land rights is not just a social issue, but an environmental one. When women have control over the land, they are more likely to invest in sustainable practices that combat desertification and soil degradation. The document—a title deed—is described as the key that unlocks their potential to manage resources effectively.

The core of the movement is the demand for a simple but powerful document: a land title. The text describes this as a piece of paper, a signature, and a seal that certifies ownership. This certification is the gateway to autonomy.

With legal ownership, women can transition from laborers to decision-makers. They can choose how to manage their soil to best withstand the pressures of climate change. Furthermore, ownership allows them to access the necessary training and financial support to improve their yields and livelihoods.

By taking positions to reverse the current inertia, women at the conference are pushing for systemic change. They are demanding that the international community recognize their contribution to food security by granting them the rights to the land they nurture.

The events in Panamá represent a crucial step forward in the fight for gender equality within the agricultural sector. By formally addressing the issue through the UNCCD, the international community is acknowledging that land rights are human rights. The data is clear: women feed the world but own very little of it. Granting them ownership is not only a matter of justice but a necessary strategy to combat desertification and ensure global food security. As the movement grows, the focus remains on turning the promise of a signature into the reality of ownership.