Gender and Property Rights: A Critical Issue in Urban Economic Development

Background. Any objective study of gender and property rights reflects the dismal record of
developing countries in providing women with equal rights not only to land but to the basic
necessities of life. Women have less access to shelter, income, water, food, education, and
healthcare when compared to men, leading to what is often called the “feminization of
poverty.” While women are increasingly heads of households, today women and girls make up
70 percent of the estimated 1.2 billion people living in absolute poverty, defined as living on
less than $1 a day. It is assumed that most women in poverty operate in the informal sector,
particularly those who live in urban areas. In addition, women hold only an estimated 1-2
percent of all titled land in the developing world. The plight of women in poverty seems
destined to continue unless there is significant reform and strengthening of laws, policies, and
practices relating to ownership and control of property, and among approaches taken by
donors and implementers supporting these reforms.
Approach. The fundamental premise of this paper is that gender equality in property rights is
critical not only as a human rights issue but also as a key driver of overall economic
development, particularly in urban settings. While women make up 66 percent of the labor
force in urban areas of developing countries, they account for only 10 percent of income.
Research clearly shows that when women’s incomes go up, the additional income goes directly
to increasing household consumption and therefore into the overall economy, while increases
in men’s income more often go into personal consumption. In addition, it is well established
that the availability of secure property rights drives economic development through investment
in property improvements, increased manufacturing and purchasing on wholesale and retail
markets, access to better employment opportunities, and improved health and education.
The content of the paper was prepared using desktop research and the author’s own
experience. Additional ideas and examples were provided by experts in relevant fields who
reviewed and commented on the paper in draft form. Their names are included in the
acknowledgments.