Ungweru Organization, in partnership with the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), has successfully concluded a groundbreaking project aimed at empowering women and girls in Traditional Authority Mpherembe by protecting their customary land rights. The project, titled “Protecting Women and Girls’ Customary Land Rights through Empowerment, Advocacy, and Capacity Building,” has garnered significant community support and achieved tangible results in the six months since its inception.
During a site visit to Mpherembe, representatives from CFLI and the Ungweru team met with local leaders and stakeholders to observe the impact of the project. The project culminated in a presentation to the District Executive Council (DEC), where Ungweru showcased its successes and shared key lessons learned. Despite cultural challenges, the project managed to engage community leaders and ignite discussions around traditional land practices, focusing on women’s and girls’ rights.
Key Successes and Lessons Learned
Among the project’s notable achievements were instances where families granted land to their daughters—an uncommon practice in the region. In one case, a woman who experienced marital estrangement was given land by her family, while another family granted land to their daughters married to men from southern Malawi, where men do not traditionally own land.
The project also prompted significant discussions among traditional and religious leaders in Mpherembe. These leaders acknowledged the gender disparity in land ownership and began seeking ways to involve women and girls in land-related decisions. Furthermore, the Mzimba Heritage Association, the cultural custodian in the area, openly engaged with Ungweru to discuss the traditional land tenure system, signaling a positive step toward improving women’s land rights.
Additionally, the project highlighted broader societal issues, such as men in southern Malawi facing similar challenges regarding land ownership. This was brought to light during television programs that featured the project, leading to a wave of calls from men expressing their struggles.
However, concerns about land registration persisted among community leaders, with 79% fearing government expropriation if land registration took place. The Ministry of Lands acknowledged these challenges, particularly the influence of external companies registering land in their names, which has further hindered the national land policy’s implementation.
Feedback from the District Executive Council
The DEC commended Ungweru and CFLI for addressing such a sensitive issue. The council, while adopting the project’s report, recommended that future projects of this nature be extended to allow for a more lasting impact. They also advised that the government, through the Ministry of Lands, continue engaging with communities to ensure the sustainability of these efforts.
Challenges and Recommendations
The major challenge identified was the lack of funds to sustain ongoing community engagement. Without a clear exit strategy, the community remains in the process of internalizing the messages delivered during the project. Ungweru and CFLI are now exploring avenues for continued funding to build on the project’s progress.
The DEC also stressed the importance of ongoing collaboration with government officials to ensure that the gains made in protecting women and girls’ land rights are not lost. Regular engagement with local leaders is essential to keep the momentum alive and secure long-term change.
Conclusion
The project, while short in duration, sparked significant change in Mpherembe. Ungweru’s presentation to the DEC was a reflection of both the achievements and challenges faced, with a clear pathway for continued efforts. As the community becomes more engaged in discussions around women’s and girls’ land rights, Ungweru remains committed to ensuring that these strides are sustained, advocating for more resources and ongoing government collaboration to secure lasting empowerment for women and girls in Mpherembe.