The Manyara regional government in northern Tanzania has issued customary land certificates to 150 women from pastoral communities as part of efforts to improve land ownership rights and economic empowerment.

This initiative is aimed at addressing long-standing gender inequalities in land access, where women in pastoral societies have traditionally been excluded from owning or controlling land due to cultural practices that favor male inheritance and decision-making.

The issued certificates provide legal recognition of land ownership under Tanzanian law, allowing women to independently manage land use decisions and also use their land as collateral when seeking loans from banks or microfinance institutions.

This is expected to improve their access to financial services and enhance their ability to invest in household development and income-generating activities.

Pastoral communities in Manyara depend mainly on livestock keeping, including cattle, goats, and sheep, and often move seasonally in search of grazing land.

However, increasing land pressure caused by population growth, agricultural expansion, and conservation areas has made secure land tenure more important than ever.

Women in these communities have been particularly vulnerable because they lack formal land rights, limiting their economic participation and resilience.

The program aligns with Tanzania’s Land Act and Village Land Act of 1999, which created frameworks for issuing customary land rights, though implementation has been uneven, especially for women.

Development experts note that empowering women with land rights has positive ripple effects, including improved education, nutrition, and health outcomes for children.

While the issuance of 150 certificates is seen as a significant milestone, it is only a starting point, as many more women across pastoral regions still lack formal land ownership.The initiative is expected to serve as a model for expanding land rights programs and promoting gender equality in rural Tanzania.