In February 2026, an International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development will be held in Cartagena, Colombia, which will follow the one organized by FAO in Brazil in March 2006 (ICARRD). Having been part of the executive secretariat of ICARRD, where we had to manage the complicated internal resistance of the FAO, the doubts of the peasant movements, the pressures of the World Bank to direct it towards the “mainstream” of land markets, I take the liberty of writing some reflections and suggestions in view of the next event.

Across the world, land is more than soil—it is security, dignity, power, and identity. For Dalit women in India, land can also mean safety, survival, and resistance against caste and gender violence. In Tamil Nadu, my journey over the past two decades has been shaped by these realities, working with rural women—particularly Dalit women—who persistently challenge the triple oppressions of caste, patriarchy, and landlessness.

In Cameroon, the applicable laws give women the possibility of aquiring and owning land, even if these laws are diverse, complex, obsolete and not easily interpreted. Customary law prevails in a predominantly patriarchal context in which women do not always inherit land and therefore have no control over it; their access is also often limited to so-called secondary land rights, implying women hold these rights through male family members.

The Third Arab Land Conference, held in Rabat, Morocco from 18-20 February 2025 opened an avenue of possibilities for improving policies and practices to govern land in the Arab world. From the launch of several groundbreaking initiatives to empowering women and youth, and fostering data transparency and academic excellence, the event showcased commitments and collaborative work shaping the future of land governance in the region.

On International Women’s Day, we reflect on the intersection of land rights and gender equity through a compilation of resources featured on the Land Portal’s platform. Women’s access to and control over land is fundamental to achieving sustainable development, economic empowerment, and social justice. However, despite international commitments, structural barriers continue to hinder women’s full participation in land governance.

Recognizing Indigenous lands is important to achieving forest and biodiversity targets and mitigation goals. This is directly acknowledged in initiatives like the Global Biodiversity Framework’s 30x30 Target, Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD+) and Net Zero by 2050.

However, the actions necessary to achieve these targets can sometimes result in pressure  and infringement on Indigenous and local land tenure systems that are already insecure due to lack of formal recognition and communities’ weak participation in decision-making related to climate initiatives. These pressures are experienced differently by women and men because of social, economic and political dynamics that influence land tenure and community governance systems. Failure to account for gender when implementing climate initiatives can risk eroding the traditional land entitlements of women and trigger additional negative impacts.

Professor Anju Vali Tikoo, a distinguished academic with a career spanning over three decades, delivered a passionate and incisive keynote at the 8th India Land and Development Conference (ILDC). Her address, a clarion call for gender inclusivity in land governance, explored the intersection of law, policy, and lived realities for women in India. With her deep-rooted knowledge of legal frameworks and her personal experiences, Prof. Tikoo brought to light the systemic barriers that continue to marginalize women in matters of land ownership and decision making.

I recently had the opportunity to take part in two trainings to help me develop my leadership skills. It was time very well spent.