Members of the Women’s Land Rights Task Force held its inaugural session this morning. Chartered to identify customary, religious, legal, and regulatory constraints affecting land ownership by women, the task force will work to address issues supporting women’s land rights, increase awareness on women’s inheritance and land rights, and provide assistance with legal reforms.

Encouraging and supporting women’s rights is an essential element of Afghanistan’s national land reform initiative, and an essential part of Afghanistan’s future.

Supported by USAID, the task force is made up of influential Afghan and religious leaders and representatives from Parliament, provincial government, civil society, and non-governmental organizations. Also included are those who have significant professional standing in areas relevant to land management, gender and women’s rights, community based dispute resolution, and Afghanistan’s land laws.

As a voice for women’s inheritance and land rights, this task force will meet monthly and advise on the implementation of USAID’s Land Reform in Afghanistan project’s objectives and methods, develop a mandate, mobilize political support and protection as needed, and oversee progress to ensure that its targets are met.

“According to my commitment and beliefs on human rights, and as chairperson of the Human Rights Commission, the support of women’s rights is my duty and inheritance. Land rights are key in assuring access to economic rights for women and assisting them to achieve equity in society,” said Dr. Sima Samar, acknowledging the importance of the task force in reforming Afghanistan’s land issues.

Overall, the task force will serve as the steering committee to a larger coalition of women’s advocacy organizations and key individuals who will work to design and conduct advocacy campaigns to promote the law reforms pertaining to inheritance and other aspects of women and vulnerable populations’ access to land rights.

“USAID supports a better understanding and implementation of women’s inheritance and land rights among the general population and on the part of government officials,” said USAID representative Susan Coleman.

2011.12.11 Press Release Women's Land Rights (English)