In the experience of GROOTS Kenya, HIV-positive widows are often thrown out of their matrimonial homes, their land grabbed by in-laws as they are blamed for their husbands’ deaths and/or feared to die within a short period of time. Due to a lack of awareness on land rights, as well as the importance of retaining legal documents to lodge court cases, the ability of widows and orphans to control land and other family assets in Gatundu district is threatened.

The marginalization of women with regard to property ownership has hampered efforts for poverty alleviation and the improvement of livelihoods. In Uganda, current institutionalization of land reform necessitates inquiry, to determine whether women’s status has changed under new provisions. The Succession Act makes some helpful provisions but also presents loopholes, which can be exploited by illegitimate claimants.

The aim was to analyze the obstacles to, and opportunities for women’s access to land, with emphasis on the identification of more effective strategies in improving the security of women’s land rights. This report is a programme evaluation including lessons learned. Case studies drawn from the advocacy project are attached as Annexes.