Women’s secure access to land, housing, and resources is a fundamental pillar of economic stability, social inclusion, and sustainable development. Across the Arab region, however, legal barriers, customary norms, and institutional challenges continue to restrict women’s land tenure rights, limiting their ability to invest, build wealth, and participate in decision-making.

The High-Level Session on Women and Land at the Third Arab Land Conference brought together policymakers, experts, and gender specialists to explore how legal reforms, land administration policies, and grassroots initiatives can unlock land access for women. The session showcased success stories from Oman, Mauritania, Sudan, Libya, and Morocco, where governments and civil society actors are working to bridge gender gaps in land ownership.

As conflicts and crises reshape gender roles—often pushing women into greater economic responsibility—ensuring women’s land rights is not just an equity issue, but a development imperative.

Key Takeaways from the High-Level Session

1. Gender Equality in Land Tenure: The Legal and Social Barriers

Ms. Nadya Khalife, Regional Gender Equality Advisor at UN ESCWA, opened the session by framing the dual challenge women face: while legal reforms are advancing, deeply rooted social norms continue to restrict women’s access to land.

“Land rights are not just about ownership. They are about economic independence, social mobility, and the ability to make decisions. Legal reforms mean little if women continue to face bureaucratic, financial, and cultural barriers in claiming their rights.”

She invited Ms. Ekhlas Adam, Secretary General of the National Council of Urban Development at the Ministry of Urban Development, Roads, and Bridges, Sudan, to share insights on the impact of displacement on women’s land rights.

2. Sudan: Displacement, Conflict, and Women’s Land Rights

Sudan has one of the largest displaced populations in the world, with women increasingly becoming household providers due to conflict and migration.

“Women represent a major share of Sudan’s agricultural workforce, yet customary laws prevent them from owning land. This not only weakens Sudan’s economy but also discourages investment.” — Ms. Ekhlas Adam

She highlighted how the 1979 land law transferred unregistered land to the government, leaving many women without formal tenure rights. Even in cases where legal frameworks exist, implementation is weak due to social resistance.

“Laws granting women equal land rights exist, but customs prevent them from registering land or obtaining financing.”

To address this, Sudan is working on:

• Land registry reforms to document and protect women’s land ownership.
• Financial inclusion programs to help women access credit for agricultural investment.
• Community awareness campaigns to change societal perceptions of women’s land rights.

3. Mauritania: Legal Equity vs. Social Barriers

Mr. Mohamed Salem Boukhreiss, Secretary General of the Ministry of Housing, Urban Planning, and Territorial Development, Mauritania, presented a contrasting reality: Mauritania’s laws do not discriminate against women, but social and economic challenges still hinder land ownership.

“Women in Mauritania face no legal hurdles in land tenure, but social norms and bureaucratic inefficiencies make access difficult.”

He outlined government-backed initiatives to support women in land ownership:

• Businesswomen’s market in Nouakchott: A government-backed commercial hub where 250 women-owned businesses operate.
• Housing grants: Over 10,000 land plots have been allocated to women in recognition of their role as household providers.
• Land registry reforms: Simplifying land registration processes to encourage more women to formalize their ownership.

However, despite these initiatives, women own less than 10% of registered land in Mauritania. The government is now investing in awareness campaigns to ensure more women assert their legal rights.

4. Oman: A Regional Leader in Women’s Land Rights

Mr. Ali bin Ahmed bin Issa Al-Mashani, Director General of Housing and Urban Planning in Musandam Governorate, Oman, highlighted Oman’s progressive policies, positioning it as one of the top five countries globally for women’s land ownership.

“Oman guarantees women the same land rights as men. In fact, women own nearly 50% of land across the country.”

He emphasized electronic land registration and government-supported housing programs, which have empowered Omani women to:

• Own land without restrictions—whether for housing, agriculture, or investment.
• Access subsidized housing programs, particularly for low-income women.
• Participate in land governance, with women in leadership positions at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning.

He also pointed out Oman’s inheritance laws, explaining that inheritance-based land transfers have significantly increased women’s land ownership rates.

5. Morocco: Institutionalizing Women’s Land Inclusion

Professor Yasmina Imani, representing Morocco’s Digital Hub for Agriculture, Forestry, and the Drought Observatory, shared Morocco’s innovative approach to gender-inclusive land governance.

“Morocco has moved beyond individual reforms—we have institutionalized women’s land access through the creation of the Center for Women’s Inclusion in Real Estate.”

This new national initiative, launched in 2023, aims to:

• Collect gender-specific land ownership data to track progress.
• Simplify land registration processes to encourage more women to formalize ownership.
• Develop gender-responsive policies in partnership with research institutions and civil society.

“We are not only working to give women land—we are ensuring they are involved in land governance and decision-making at every level.”

6. Libya: Women in Local Governance and Land Reform

Dr. Aboubakr Abdul Latif Al-Tarabulsi, Deputy Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Local Administration, Libya, emphasized how Libya’s land reforms are integrating women into governance structures.

“Women are playing a bigger role in local governance. We now have 144 women-led initiatives within municipal councils, focusing on economic empowerment and land governance.”

He highlighted Libya’s efforts to remove bureaucratic barriers and encourage women’s participation in land management decisions.

“Land reform is not just about ownership—it’s about ensuring women are at the table when land policies are made.”

Key Conclusions and Next Steps

The Women and Land session underscored that while legal reforms are advancing in some Arab countries, social barriers, economic challenges, and weak enforcement mechanisms continue to hinder women’s land rights. Key takeaways include:

• Legal rights must be backed by strong enforcement—laws alone are not enough.
• Customary norms need to shift—awareness campaigns are essential.
• Financial inclusion is key—women need access to credit to invest in land.
• Governments must collect gender-specific land data to track progress.
• Women’s participation in land governance must increase—decision-making roles matter.

As Arab countries continue to grapple with conflicts, displacement, and economic restructuring, securing women’s land rights will be a game-changer in fostering social stability, investment, and long-term development.