Tanzania’s land policy and women’s land tenure security: A case of Moshi District Council

Abstract

This study examines the impact of Tanzania’s 1995 National Land Policy on women’s land tenure security in Moshi District, revealing persistent gender disparities despite progressive legal frameworks such as the Land Act No. 4 and Village Land Act No. 5 of 1999. Using a mixed-methods approach, the cross-sectional research design, and informed by feminist theory, data were collected from 266 women through surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. The results indicate that, although the legal framework promotes gender equity, its implementation is inadequate. Only 18.8% of women pointed out that they had Certificates of Customary Right of Occupancy (CCROs). Younger, less educated, and unmarried women were especially unaware of land policy. Customary norms, limited legal literacy, and inadequate institutional support emerged as major barriers. Binary probit regression analysis indicated that land title ownership, policy awareness, education, and community support positively influence tenure security, whereas customary acquisition and patriarchal traditions undermine it. The study concludes that legal frameworks alone are insufficient to secure women’s land rights. Strengthening enforcement, enhancing legal literacy, and advancing institutional reforms are critical policy implications for achieving the objectives of the National Land Policy and promoting gender equity in land tenure.