Milestone as Hundreds of Tanzanian Rural Women Secure Legal Land Rights

TUESDAY October 21, 2025

By The Tranquility News Correspondent, Tanzania

A wave of celebration swept through Kimpunda Village in Singida Region, Tanzania, recently, when hundreds of women received customary land ownership certificates, marking a pivotal moment for women’s empowerment and land tenure security in the region.

The certificates were issued as part of the Helvetas bank rolled Ukijani Project, an initiative designed to grant smallholder farmers, particularly women, legal rights to their land, shielding them from harassment and opening doors to financial opportunity.

Climate resilient women, the drive believes, will contribute to improving livelihoods of families and restore community landscapes in the project areas.

Also, high on the Ukijani Project’s agenda is inspiring women to participate in leadership and community decision-making machinery.

The sheer scale of the achievement is significant: Out of 1,473 customary land certificates issued across five villages in Ikungi District in the region, women own a remarkable 1,114.

A Shield Against Conflict and Harassment

Addressing the joyous crowd, Ikungi District Commissioner Thomas Apson, representing the Singida Regional Commissioner, underscored the transformative power of legal ownership.

“This step is crucial for women’s empowerment,” Apson stated. “It enables women to own their land without fear of harassment – a challenge many face in various communities.”

He also highlighted the certificates’ role in reducing community strife, noting that land disputes are among recurring challenges brought before him.

“This initiative is crucial in easing conflicts, and more importantly, the certificates you have received will uplift you economically, as they can serve as collateral,” he added.

“I Feel Like I Have a Voice”

For the women recipients, the document represents far more than just a legal formality—it is a symbol of validation and future security.

Fatuma Irunde, a mother of four, expressed her deep heartfelt gratitude upon receiving her certificate. “Today, I feel like I have a voice,” she said, with emotional tears in her eyes. “I can now make decisions regarding my land and ensure my children have a future.”

Fatuma’s experience reflects that of many others who have historically been marginalised in land ownership discussions.

Legal ownership grants these women the power to decide what to cultivate, how to invest in improvements, and the ability to pass the land to their children.

Moreover, this newfound security opens new financial opportunities, allowing them to secure loans or grants to invest in their farming practices, a primary source of income in the region.

Collaborative Success and Sustainable Management

The Ukijani Project‘s success was hailed as a result of strong collaboration between various levels of government and local communities.

Shoma Nangale, Senior Project Manager for Ukijani, praised the joint efforts that facilitated the surveying and issuance of the certificates. “When we talk about land, we are talking about the mother of resources,” she emphasized as she counseled the lucky women:

“All investments stem from land. Now that you own it legally, keep it well and make good use of it for your success and for the community at large.”

According to Maximilian Saku, Ukijani Project Manager, the achievement contributes significantly to international, national, and regional development goals concerning women’s land ownership rights, security, and sustainable resource management.

The process involved extensive community mobilisation and training, where residents were educated about their rights, followed by professional surveying and data collection in five villages of the district, namely Mkunguakiendo, Munane, Nkundi, Mnangána, and Kipunda.

As the ceremony concluded with dancing and singing, the women of Ikungi marked a turning point in their lives.

The Helvetas-financed Ukijani Project has laid the foundation for a more equitable future, where legal land ownership will serve as a powerful catalyst for change for smallholder farmers.

All investments stem from land. Now that you own it legally, keep it well and make good use of it for your success and for the community at large,” Shoma Nangale, Ukijani Project Senior Manager.

MORE INFORMATION

Customary land ownership certificates, such as a Certificate of Customary Right of Occupancy (CCRO), are official documents that formalize community land rights by converting informal or customary tenure into a recognised legal right. These certificates secure land for individuals or groups, often within a village setting, by providing legal proof of ownership and access, which helps to prevent land loss and conflicts. The process for obtaining one involves applying through local authorities, with steps including community notification and administrative reviewΩ