The Land Policy Initiative (LPI) will, on 19 October 2016, host a side-event on Strengthening of Secure Land Tenure for Women on the sidelines of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS43) Conference to be held in Rome, Italy on 17-21 October 2016.

Women in Africa are the primary land users and responsible for preservation of land resources (Framework and Guidelines on Land Policy in Africa). Although women in most African countries represent more than 80% of the rural land users in terms of labour, they are marginalized when it comes to ownership and control of land resources. Strengthening of secure tenure rights for women through, improved access to land and equal right of women to own and inherit land is a critical factor in their social status, economic wellbeing and political empowerment.

In order to narrow the gender gap, the LPI engaged in an advocacy initiative for a 30% target of documented land rights to be allocated to African women by 2025 in part implementation of Africa’s development Agenda 2063. The LPI is working with continental, regional and global partners and stakeholders to promote the 30% target campaign and support the AU Chairperson’s special initiative on women’s empowerment and political participation.   Following the launch of the 30% campaign jointly with the Kilimanjaro Initiative Rural Women’s council on the sidelines of the 3^rd AU High Level Panel on Gender, the LPI will promote the 30% campaign at a global level on the sidelines of the CFS43.

The event will aim to raise awareness for strengthening of secure land tenure for women in Africa through the 30% target campaign and mobilize support and resources for its implementation; to call upon global community and continental leaders to support the LPI in implementing this initiative.

The event will be attended by representatives of the African Union Commission, civil society, African governments, grassroots women’s organization, development partners and rural women.