Experts rue denial of land rights to women

OST Bureau

Bhubaneswar, Jan 10:

Experts on Friday lamented the fact that just 10% of women own land in India despite numerous policies and amendment in Hindu Succession Act in 2005 that provides inheritance rights to Indian women on their parental agricultural land.

They were participating in a state level media workshop titled ‘A Land of my Own’- A campaign for women’s right over property’ organized by Landesa, in partnership with Oxfam India, here on Friday.

“Intervention is necessary at the domains of state and society-culture to improve the situation for women. There’s a need to recognize women as farmers and their entitlements as agricultural producers,” said Akshaya Kumar Biswal, Regional manager, Odisha and South India, Oxfam India.

Speaking on the occasion, noted journalist Manipadma Jena highlighted the role of media in highlighting the issue of women’s land rights as it serves as the foundation to address family’s food security and nutrition.

“Land titles enable women to access social security and welfare entitlements, particularly those who become de-facto household heads due to male migration, abandonment, divorce,” Jena said. She also discussed the importance of land rights for women who live in disaster-prone coastal areas of Odisha.

Participating in the discussion, Jayanti Rath, Director Doordarshan, discussed the importance of women’s land rights and women collectives’ asset management.

Sanjoy Patnaik, State Director, Landesa, discussed at length the implementation gaps and barriers to women’s access to land.

Eminent journalists and feature writers participated in the discussion to reinforce the issue of women’s land rights and women farmers.