ARUSHA: MEMBERS of the National Assembly have been urged to enact laws that safeguard village land ownership and empower women to own property.
Representatives from at least 14 organisations across the country met in Arusha for policy dialogue sessions aimed at strengthening engagement in the National Land Policy and promoting inclusive access to opportunities.
Among other recommendations, delegates called on authorities to adopt a broader definition of land beyond the conventional view of it merely as a base for investment.
“There is more to land than just a base for investments,” said Cathbert Tomitho, Executive Director of the Land Rights Research and Resources Institute (Haki-Ardhi).
“The land sector plays a crucial role in facilitating other sectors, including settlements, industry, agriculture, livestock, construction, communication, natural resources, tourism and energy,” said Mr Tomitho, who is also a researcher.
He added that land is a crucial resource in implementing national plans and strategies.
“Under the newly revised policy, it is now vital to protect village land from being taken over by large-scale investment projects,” he maintained.
The Advocacy Officer representing the Mbozi, Ileje and Isangati Consortium (MIICO), based in Mbeya, Ms Gloria Mdindile, said one of their key tasks after the meeting would be to translate laws and policies into simple language so that ordinary citizens can understand them.
For her part, the Land Officer for Arusha (Rural) District, Ms Jackline Shayo, welcomed the revised policy, saying it grants women greater rights and authority to own and inherit land.
“In the past, many customary laws prevented women from owning property such as land. Under the revised policy, women are now being empowered to become land and property owners,” she said.
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At least 22 participants from 14 organisations, including representatives from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, took part in the two-day discussions held at the SOS Children’s Villages in Arusha.
The organisations included Haki-Ardhi, MIICO, MHOLA, CHEMA Tanzania, ADP Mbozi, TIBA, PWC, Tanzania Natural Resources Forum (TNRF), MVIWARUSHA, CEDESOTA, WEGS, Pastoralist Indigenous Non-Government Organisations (PINGOs) Forum, HLDD, SOS Children’s Villages and the Ujamaa Community Resource Team (URCT).
Advocate Valentina Clifford, Senior Programme Officer at Haki-Ardhi, said following the amendment of the land policy, it is now essential for the changes to be translated into law.
“This will help resolve land conflicts, especially in areas where villages directly border conservation areas,” she said.
According to Advocate Clifford, the revised policy will enable women to make meaningful investments and strengthen their economic empowerment.
During the sessions, land was described as a fundamental resource for economic and social development and the well-being of all citizens.
The Revised Tanzania National Land Policy 1995 (2023 Edition) seeks to address previous shortcomings, enhance land governance and ensure equitable and sustainable land use nationwide.
Key provisions include equitable access to land, limits on land ownership, land tenure security, optimal and sustainable land use, improved land administration and registration, land valuation and compensation, as well as strengthened gender equality in land rights.