Violation of women's property rights in post armed conflict areas: A case study of Isingiro District

Abstract

This study on violations of women’s property rights in post armed conflict areas was conducted in Isingiro district which lies in the South Western part of this country. This part was severely affected by the 1978 to 1979 Iddi Amin conflict that broke out from Tanzania.The main objective of the study was examining the effect that armed conflicts have had on women’s property rights in Uganda. Specific objectives of the study examined women’s property rights before and after the armed conflict, women’s other rights during and after the armed conflict, and women’s constraints on achieving their property rights.

A hundred and ten (110) elderly women were interviewed. Other methods used include documentary analysis, observation and personal interviews. Key findings indicate that the armed conflicts have had no significant effect on women’s property rights violations. Women owned property which included land, plantations, animals, and houses household items before and after the armed conflict. Considering the past and present situations, women’s property rights violations at the present situation is worsening compared to the past. It was also found out that the causes of women’s property rights violations are discriminatory laws and customs, biased attitudes among individuals and groups of people, ineffective courts when handling matters of property, poor and weak government and traditional authorities and a number of frustrations from parliamentarians who are gender insensitive.

In conclusion women’s property issues were seen to touch deeply the ways people live, think and organize their social and economic lives, and therefore a lot of efforts were seen necessary to be put in place. The key recommendations were: government taking an immediate step to improve women’s property rights in law and practice and removing obstacles to their realization, creating awareness campaign to inform the public about women’s property rights and the need for more research in property situation of women belonging to particular vulnerable groups.