In post-conflict settings, securing tenure of local smallholders is considered of major importance to reduce and prevent local land disputes, to contribute to the recovery of rural livelihoods, and to improve agricultural production. Registration and other ways of formalizing land ownership are generally believed to significantly enhance local tenure security and rural development. Our research in Uganda, Burundi and South Sudan suggests, however, that post-conflict settings pose particular challenges to the formalization of land ownership, which may, for instance, ignite conflict and competition, or add to confusion about local ownership and tenure security.
A particular challenge is how to improve the land tenure security of women, who experience specific vulnerabilities in accessing land, notably in postconflict settings. Both customary and statutory tenure arrangements pose opportunities as well as threats to securing women’s access to land.
Authors and Publishers
Leeuwen,M.van
Kobusingye,D.
Justin,P.H.
Djomo,R.T.
Dijk,J.W.M.van
Mission statement
The African Studies Centre Leiden is a knowledge institute that undertakes research and is involved in teaching about Africa and aims to promote a better understanding of and insight into historical, current and future developments in Africa.
The institute is located in the Pieter de la Court Building of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Leiden.
Main objectives:
Leiden University was founded in 1575 and is one of Europe’s leading international research universities. It has seven faculties in the arts, sciences and social sciences, spread over locations in Leiden and The Hague. The University has over 5,500 staff members and 25,800 students. The motto of the University is 'Praesidium Libertatis' – Bastion of Freedom.