Women and land ownership in peri-urban Dar es Salaam – land policy reforms and cultural facades

Said Nuhu, Neema Emanuel Macha, Wilbard Kombe, Chakupewa Joseph Mpambije, Francis Dakyaga and Rose Shayo

Oxford Development Studies, 2026, vol. 54, issue 1, 41-58

Abstract: Women’s land ownership remains a contemporary discourse in scholarship, especially from Sub-Saharan African countries. Using the case of peri-urban areas of Dar es Salaam, this study explores the disconnect between land policy reforms and culture, underscoring their contrasting forces in redefining the reality concerning women’s land ownership. A mixed-methods case study design employing structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and document analysis enabled data collection. There are still significant inequalities in land ownership attributable to social and cultural norms in peri-urban areas, even after several legislative and policy reforms in Tanzania were made to facilitate land ownership for men and women. Systemic reforms and restructuring to foster effective land policy reforms for equity in the ownership of land, especially in societies with deep-rooted norms and values, are recommended. Land-focused advocates and lobbyists are needed to influence policy reforms that are gender-neutral and which can steer societal transformation away from patriarchal mindsets.

Date: 2026
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DOI: 10.1080/13600818.2025.2584014

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