Realizing women’s rights to land in the law

Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) “Achieve

gender equality and empower all women and girls” recognizes

the fundamental role of women in achieving poverty

reduction, food security and nutrition.

Target 5.a aims to “Undertake reforms to give women equal

rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership

and control over land and other forms of property, financial

services, inheritance and natural resources, in accordance with

national laws”.

As the designated custodian for Target 5a, FAO has developed

a methodology to support countries in monitoring and reporting

on progress in the status of women’s land rights protection.

Progress in Target 5.a is measured through two indicators

that focus on ownership and/or control over land.