Women’s access to land must translate into secure rights and economic opportunities, the Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development stressed after a presentation this week by the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE).
The committee welcomed the presentation but raised concerns about persistent barriers to women’s ownership and control of communal land. Despite constitutional protections, insecure tenure, discriminatory allocation practices, patriarchal norms and inheritance through the male line continue to limit access.
Land ownership and economic opportunity
The CGE’s broader economic research found that fewer than 35% of women surveyed owned land, compared with more than 50% of men. Without property to use as collateral, women face difficulties obtaining formal finance to start businesses and generate income.
The committee emphasised that allocating land alone is not enough. Secure rights must be supported by access to finance, markets and infrastructure so that women can use land productively and participate meaningfully in the rural economy.
The CGE also reported that women outnumber men as farmers and own more small and micro businesses. The committee highlighted the need for integrated land reform and rural development interventions to unlock this economic potential.
Costs and allocation practices remain barriers
Registration and occupancy costs, complex procedures and bureaucratic delays place additional pressure on economically vulnerable women. Limited representation in traditional councils and other land-governance structures also restricts their participation in decisions affecting land access.
In Eastern Cape communities studied, reported land costs ranged from R100 to more than R100 000. Some applicants faced additional allocation-related expenses and uncertainty over pricing. The committee called for transparent, fair and accountable administration.
Policy reform and parliamentary oversight
The committee supports legislative and policy measures to address these disparities, including greater participation by women in land governance, documented allocation procedures, monitoring that distinguishes outcomes for women and men, and improved mechanisms for asserting land rights.
It also noted recommendations for enforceable measures within existing policies and affordable finance that addresses collateral requirements disadvantaging women without property. The National Assembly referred the reports to the committee for consideration and a report back.
Proposals raised included inviting the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development and relevant entities, including the Ingonyama Trust Board, to respond to the findings, explain measures protecting women’s communal land rights and assess whether legislative reform is needed. Further proposals included examining gender responsiveness in plans and budgets, joint stakeholder engagements and oversight visits assessing allocation practices.
Sureshinee Govender
19 October 2026
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