Ruling Advances Women's Property Rights in Botswana

The Botswana High Court recently issued a landmark ruling: four sisters are permitted to inherit their family home even though a customary rule prohibits women from inheriting property. The High Court ruled that the customary rule violated women’s equal rights. Remarkably, the High Court issued its decision in the face of strong government support of the customary rule. The details of this watershed case are featured in a recent article by City Press.
The Botsawana case marks an important step in strengthening the tenure security of women in that country. Strengthening the property rights of women – whether through improved statutory or customary tenure systems – often leads to improved income, health, education and access to credit for a significant portion of the population. For more information on land tenure and gender issues see here.