Titled “Women’s rights to land in Tanzania: Does village land use planning strengthen women’s land rights?”, their work addresses a pressing question: how can village land use planning processes influence women’s rights to land in Tanzania? Drawing on a comprehensive review of the literature, the team shows that these processes hold significant promise in securing women’s rights to land, but that challenges remain—ranging from patriarchal norms and limited representation in local institutions to the lack of clear, gender-disaggregated data.
Beyond identifying barriers, the article also points to solutions. The authors highlight the importance of better reporting on women’s equal access to land and economic resources—an international commitment that calls on governments to guarantee women the same rights as men when it comes to owning and controlling property. They argue that it is not enough to count the number of land certificates issued to women: what matters most is ensuring these rights translate into real economic empowerment and decision-making power.
This research is a powerful example of how FSS scholars and students embody our mission: to mobilize knowledge, embrace diverse perspectives, and inspire tangible solutions to humanity’s challenges. It highlights the unique learning and research environment we cultivate—one where social innovation meets global engagement, and where our community contributes directly to shaping a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future.