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Parliament committee urges stronger action on women's land rights

Published

The Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development raised concerns about barriers to women owning and controlling communal land. It acted after the Commission for Gender Equality said fewer than 35% of women surveyed owned land, against more than 50% of men.

The Commission for Gender Equality presented research on women's land rights to the committee. It said women outnumber men as farmers and own more small and micro businesses. In Eastern Cape communities studied, the commission reported land costs from R100 to more than R100 000.

The committee welcomed the presentation. It said allocating land alone is not enough. Secure rights must be supported by access to finance, markets and infrastructure.

The National Assembly referred the reports to the committee for consideration and a report back. The committee proposed to invite the Ingonyama Trust Board and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development to respond to the findings.

Key facts

Who
Commission for Gender Equality (presented research on women's land rights to the committee); Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development (parliamentary committee that considered the presentation); Ingonyama Trust Board (entity proposed to be invited to respond to the findings); Department of Land Reform and Rural Development (department proposed to be invited to respond to the findings)
What
The Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development welcomed a Commission for Gender Equality presentation on women's land rights, raised concerns about barriers to women's ownership and control of communal land, and called for stronger action. The National Assembly referred the reports to the committee for consideration and a report back.
When
19 October 2026
Where
South Africa, Eastern Cape
Status
Reported

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