Gender Perspectives In The Displacement Of Customary Land Rights Holders By The Chiefs In Zambia: A Case Of Chiwala Chiefdom

Abstract

Chiefs in Zambia have continued to arbitrarily re-assign customary land from holders, especially women. The acquired land is then granted to potential investors who convert customary tenure to leasehold tenure. This paper considers the gender perspectives that are inherent in the authority of chiefs’ in the re-assignment of customary land and displacement of customary land rights holders. The paper uses a qualitative research design to address the issues of whether or not gender perspectives are considered by Chiefs when re-assigning customary land. When Chiefs disregard gender issues in re-assigning customary land, women are adversely affected. The inequality faced by women is due to patriarchal practices underlining customary tenure. The selection of Chiwala Chiefdom as a case study was purposive since the findings of the reports show that dispossession of customary land rights holders mostly affected women in this area.  Arguments and views of the displaced persons presented in the reports from the case study reveal a lack of gender considerations in the entire process of acquisition and dispossession. Further, the dispossessions in the case study have taken place without adequate compensation. In conclusion, it is clear that women are adversely affected due to the lack of gender considerations when chiefs re-assign customary land resulting in displacements. To overcome this problem, there is need to regulate the powers of the chiefs and incorporate gender considerations in the cultural practices when re-assigning customary land.