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  • Access to Land

Information Guide

  • In Burundi, there is currently no law governing succession to land. Customary law and case law prevail.
  • Obstacles of a cultural, economic and social nature are not always favorable to the development of women.
  • However, international laws to which Burundi is a signatory recognize the equal rights and dignity of all human beings.

International reference frameworks and instruments

  • The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 12/12/1966 and ratified by Burundi by Decree-Law No. 11/008 of March 14, 1990.
  • The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) entered into force on September 3, 1981, ratified on January 8, 1992,
  • The additional protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights relating to the rights of women in Africa signed on November 13, 2001.
  • The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights of 1981, ratified on July 28, 1987.

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Access to land in Burundi

In Burundi, the traditional social organization of Burundian society is patriarchal and patrilineal. It is the man who embodies the authority within the household and takes the major decisions. The woman, on the other hand, has the social responsibility for the functioning of domestic life, she does the housework and takes care of the children and other family members.
Several associations for the defense of women's rights in Burundi intervene to plead in favor of women in terms of access to factors of production, including land.

These associations often intervene by providing various services such as access to counsel agents to help aggrieved women gain access to land.

There are several cases of jurisprudence in favor of women which serve as a reference in the pleadings and in the judgments in this matter currently in Burundi. Nevertheless, the acquisition and possession of land through purchase is recognized and land is accessible to any woman who has the capacity and the means.

Land access opportunities

In Burundi, in addition to the possibility of buying to access one's own land, there are opportunities for women to be able to ask the State for large-scale farms in emphyteusis or other forms like all the others. citizens. There is therefore no distinction between men and women in this area.

Association of Women Lawyers of Burundi - AFJB

provides lawyers to help women with cases in court related to access to land