Land Governance and Women’s Rights for Sustainable Development

Despite the progressive provisions of the 2010 Constitution and subsequent land laws, a significant gap persists between legal guarantees and women’s lived realities. This study critically examines the interface between land governance and women’s land rights in Kenya through a case study of Oloitoktok in Kajiado South Sub-County. Anchored in African feminist thought and intersectional theory, the research centers women’s voices and agency while interrogating the structural, institutional, and cultural barriers that restrict their enjoyment of land rights. Adopting a qualitative approach, primary data were collected through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, narratologies, and analysis of relevant court cases. Additionally, the study examined the legal and policy landscape governing women’s land rights, with a focus on existing provisions, implementation gaps, and progress made. Findings revealed that land ownership and inheritance remain male-dominated, with systems favoring sons over daughters. Patriarchal norms, weak enforcement mechanisms, and limited awareness of legal rights emerged as critical impediments. However, women are not passive victims; they employ resistance and solidarity strategies, including informal alliances, collective action, and engagement with local institutions, to claim their rights and support each other. The study underscores that women’s secure land rights are not only a matter of gender equity and social justice but also vital for socio-economic development and climate resilience. Enhanced land ownership strengthens women’s decision-making power, economic participation, and contributions to sustainable development at household, community, and national levels. To bridge the gap between policy and practice, the study recommends strengthening paralegal capacity, establishing advocacy teams of women leaders, and fostering consultative dialogues with county policymakers. By foregrounding women’s lived experiences and exposing the relational and structural dimensions of land injustice, this research advances discourse on gender and land while offering practical pathways for policy and legislative reform in Kenya and similar contexts.