Business & Human Rights

Empowering women in India – land rights for marginalised female farmers

Building a liberal and just economy depends on secure property and land rights. To this end the Foundation, in conjunction with the NGO Action Research in Community Health and Development (ARCH), is supporting a GPS-based solution to help secure land rights for marginalised farmers in India.

While visiting the village of Sankli in Gujarat, we managed to gain insight into how women in particular have benefited from the recognition of their land and forest rights. Somiben Gambhirbhai Vasava (38) has three children and is a widow. She recently received a title deed for a 0.49 hectare plot of land. Somiben describes the challenges
she faced during registration: “I requested my land rights for the first time in 2009, but they were refused, like most requests from my village. With the help of the NGO, Action Research in Community

Health and Development, as well as the FNF, we measured our land with GPS data and satellite images to define and substantiate our claims. ARCH then initiated a class action lawsuit for us. The court finally ruled in our favour in 2013, allowing us to register our title deeds.” What has changed for her? “I am proud and happy that I finally have a title deed in my name,” says Somiben.

Acquiring title deeds gives the women more confidence and a greater feeling of self-worth. “NowI can ask for credit  and other finance at the bank, because I have land in my name that I can use as collateral. I have improved the land. Together with my neighbours, I dug a well to ensure a reliable supply of water. I am now treated with more respect when I attend meetings with government officials. Sometimes they even offer me water or something else to drink,” Somiben reports proudly.