Legal developments on women's rights to inherit land under customary law in Tanzania

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Periodical article

Title:	Legal developments on women's rights to inherit land under customary law in Tanzania
Author:	Mtengeti-Migiro, Rose
Year:	1991
Periodical:	Verfassung und Recht in Übersee
Volume:	24
Issue:	4
Pages:	362-371
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Tanzania
Subjects:	customary law family law law of inheritance women
Abstract:	The rights of women, especially the rights pertaining to land inheritance, have been one of the most controversial legal issues since Tanzania's independence. During the period preceding colonialism, that is, in a predominantly patriarchal traditional society, land was collectively owned by the clan but was apportioned to family units under the authority of a male head of the family. The socioeconomic setup of the traditional society began to crumble with the advent of colonialism, and new policies implemented after independence also affected traditional land tenure and social organization. Nevertheless, customs that regulated property relations were not completely eroded. The inclusion of the Bill of Rights in the country's constitution in 1985 made it possible for women to pursue equal rights. It is within this context that this paper examines the issue of women's rights to inherit land. Notes, ref.