[adapted from ActionAid] October, 2012- The report states that the importance of land to rural women goes beyond growing food. Having secure access to, and independent control over, land can mean the difference between, on the one hand, enjoying rights such as education and freedom from violence or, on the other, continual subjugation in society. ActionAid view security of land tenure for impoverished rural communities as a fundamental component of dignified, sustainable development and a crucial step towards reducing poverty and reducing inequality.

[via UN-HABITAT] How can we judge if a land tool is responsive to both women and men’s needs?

Despite progress on women’s rights, rights to land and security of tenure are not enjoyed equally by women and men in many parts of the world. This goes against international human rights, and also impacts negatively on households and the economy.

The report of the discussion that took place online in September 2012 is now online!!! (Special thanks to Andrea...) Check it in the attachement below. Do not hesitate to contact us for more information, we would be glad to recveive more feed back from you. Jai jagat!

The International Land Coalition (ILC) believes that a fair and effective monitoring of ongoing conversion and fragmentation of rangeland ecosystems is needed in order to provide a thorough understanding of the trends and their implications – and also to enhance informed and participatory decision making on land use and investments in rangelands, and on the trade-offs involved.

La Coalición Internacional para el Acceso a la Tierra (ILC) estima necesario un sistema de monitoreo eficaz y justo sobre la conversión y fragmentación de los ecosistemas de pastizales, para un mejor conocimiento de las tendencias y de sus implicaciones – así como para mejorar la toma de decisiones informadas y participativas sobre el uso de la tierra y la inversión en los pastizales, y sus ventajas y desventajas.

La Coalition Internationale sur les Terres (ILC) pense qu’un suivi raisonnable et efficace des conversions et de la fragmentation en cours des ecosystèmes de parcours est indispensable pour permettre une compréhension approfondie des tendances actuelles et de leurs implications, et également pour promouvoir une prise de décisions avisée et participative sur, d’une part, l'utilisation de la terres et les investissements dans les parcours et, d’autre part, sur les compromis qui en découlent.

The Ethiopian government has committed egregious human rights abuses to make way for agricultural land investments, in direct violation of international law, said the Oakland Institute in a new briefing paper released in New Delhi today. The briefing paper, entitled "Unheard Voices: The Human Rights Impact of Land Investments on Indigenous Communities in Gambella,” calls on Ethiopia to put an end to the illegal forced evictions of indigenous peoples in areas targeted for land investment.

Transnational Institute

GRAIN

The G8 countries are implementing a New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition in six African countries that will facilitate the transfer of control over African agriculture from peasants to foreign agribusiness.

Read the full article Here

Friends of the Earth, Europe

Based on newly available data this report sheds lights on Europe’s role as a major user of global land resources.

Europe’s high consumption levels, and insatiable appetite for meat, dairy, textiles and other products that require large areas of land, mean Europe’s 'land footprint' remains one of the largest in the world.

Rights and Resources Initiative

Communities of Grand Cape Mount, Liberia

March 25th, 2013