Women's Land Rights in Burundi: Stepping Into Economic Independence

For generations, the women of Burundi have tilled the land without the right to own it.

And for a 38-year-old indigenous farmer named Ms. Ndayizigiyimana, the laws and customs that deny women the right to own land can lead to a precarious way of life. She was left landless when her husband died and she lacked the property rights enjoyed by men in Burundian society.

"When my husband died and I had not given birth to any children, my husband's uncles stole our land,” Ms. Ndayizigiyimana recalled.

Recently, Atlas Network partner Center for Development and Enterprises Great Lakes (CDE Great Lakes) has found success in advancing women's land rights and economic independence. The organization was founded in 2017 and supported from the start by funding and professional training opportunities from Atlas Network. Over the past several years, their "Why Women" initiative has focused on the glaring human rights disparities women in Burundi encounter, most especially in terms of economic freedom and land ownership.

Her story is not uncommon in Burundi, one of the world’s poorest nations, with 87% of its 12.2 million people living on less than $1.90 a day. About 70% of all workers are women in the agricultural sector, which employs 80% of the total population.

According to CDE Great Lakes chair Siméon Barumwete, women’s property rights and economic development are closely tied, and a better future for the country lies in promoting economic liberty for Burundi’s women.

"I was born in Burundi. I saw that in our family, mothers had no right to land, no right to inheritance. I have three daughters and a son. So I wouldn't want my children, my daughters, to grow up in a society that doesn't recognize the rights of girls,” Barumwete said.

Despite their massive contributions, Burundian women endure deep-rooted cultural, social, and legal discrimination and injustice. For instance, women cannot inherit property, making them financially dependent on their husbands and extremely vulnerable if their spouse dies.

CDE Great Lakes made a powerful case that women's lack of land ownership was a national economic issue, not just a gender issue. The non-profit think tank educated the public and legislators on the economic importance of women's property rights, highlighted barriers to women's land ownership, and proposed market-oriented reforms to reduce administrative and legal barriers to equality to boost the country's economic development.

“I had resigned myself to life in land serfdom and begging like others until I learnt about the Why Women program, which taught me the laws to utilize in the residency court while dealing with customary law,” said Ms. Ndayizigiyimana. “I won the case and had my land certified in my name."

But as she tells it, the impact of the Why Women project goes beyond material benefit. To her, the far-reaching impact of autonomy and liberty is priceless.

“I became a role model in my community, showing that indigenous women can also succeed in agriculture," she said.

“This gives me a voice and power in family and community decision-making, which is essential to promoting my autonomy and well-being. For me, access to land is much more than just a material good, it is an open door to a better future for my family and for my community.”

As a result of CDE’s efforts, millions of women and girls in Burundi enjoy more legal equality for the right to use their land without restriction. The reforms required continuous collaboration with the parliament and Supreme Court.

But implementing these reforms wasn't without challenges, Barumwete noted.

"It wasn't easy because when we started this project in Burundi, there was a lot of talk, sometimes even from authorities who didn't understand," he said.

Despite the opposition, Barumwete and CDE persevered.

"We've broken the taboo. And then the authorities began to understand. The administrative authorities began to understand, and the associations began to realize that the issue wasn't finally closed."

CDE Great Lakes outstanding success resulted in the organization winning Atlas Network’s 2024 Africa Liberty Award. They have also been named a finalist for the 2024 Templeton Freedom Award, adding to nominations in 2019 and 2021. In 2022, Atlas Network selected the organization as one of its 2022 Smart Bets, which provided unique opportunities to help them grow their impact. This partnership has empowered CDE Great Lakes to achieve numerous policy successes in Burundi, including removing barriers to formalized entrepreneurship, cross-border commerce, and now improving women's land and inheritance rights.

Barumwete believes that the work of CDE can serve as an example for other African countries facing similar challenges. And jumpstart development efforts around the continent.

"It can set an example that, in the end, even for African countries, it is possible that women can become players in development if we give them this opportunity,” he said.

"Once Africans and Africa have achieved equality between men and women, you'll see that in the end the continent will leap forward and take giant steps forward in development, because it will be relying on the strengths and potential of everyone.”