Land is power—and India’s women are still denied it

The issue of women's land rights in India is a critical intersection of social justice, economic empowerment, and agricultural productivity. Despite their indispensable role in the agricultural sector, Indian women disproportionately lack formal land ownership, a disparity that significantly impedes their access to government schemes and overall economic autonomy. This systemic denial of 'power,' represented by land, has deep historical roots and profound implications for India's development trajectory.

Historically, land ownership in India has been predominantly patriarchal, influenced by customary laws, religious traditions, and socio-cultural norms that favored male heirs. Prior to the 2005 amendment to the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, daughters had limited or no coparcenary rights to ancestral property, effectively excluding them from direct inheritance of agricultural land. Even post-independence land reforms, largely focused on abolishing zamindari and redistributing land to tillers, often identified the 'tiller' as the male head of the household, further cementing male ownership. This historical bias created a legacy where formal land titles overwhelmingly reside with men, even when women contribute the lion's share of agricultural labor.

Currently, women constitute a significant portion of the agricultural workforce, often performing arduous tasks from sowing to harvesting. Estimates suggest that women make up over 70% of agricultural laborers, yet less than 13% of landholdings are owned by women, either solely or jointly. This disparity means that despite their 'farmer' identity, they are often not recognized as 'landowners.' This lack of formal ownership creates a vicious cycle: without land titles, women struggle to access institutional credit, agricultural subsidies, crop insurance, and various government welfare schemes that often require land as collateral or proof of ownership. Schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), for instance, directly benefit landholding farmers, thereby often bypassing women farmers.

The key stakeholders in this issue include the millions of **women farmers** who are the primary contributors to agricultural production but remain marginalized. **Male family members**, who traditionally hold land titles, often determine women's access and control over land. The **central and state governments** are crucial stakeholders, responsible for enacting and enforcing progressive laws and policies. **Civil society organizations and NGOs** play a vital role in advocating for women's land rights, providing legal awareness, and facilitating land titling processes. International bodies and development agencies also contribute by highlighting gender disparities and supporting initiatives for women's empowerment.

This issue matters immensely for India. Economically, securing women's land rights can significantly boost agricultural productivity. Studies have shown that when women have control over resources, they tend to invest more in family well-being, nutrition, and children's education, leading to improved human development outcomes. It addresses a fundamental aspect of **gender equality** and **social justice**, aligning with constitutional principles. The denial of land rights perpetuates poverty and vulnerability among women, especially in female-headed households. Politically, empowered women with land ownership are more likely to participate in local governance and decision-making processes.

The Indian Constitution enshrines principles of equality and non-discrimination. **Article 14** guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws, while **Article 15** prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. Furthermore, **Article 39(a)** directs the state to secure for all citizens, men and women equally, the right to an adequate means of livelihood, and **Article 39(d)** mandates equal pay for equal work for both men and women. These **Directive Principles of State Policy** (DPSP) provide the moral and legal framework for ensuring gender equity in resource distribution. The landmark **Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005**, was a significant step, granting daughters equal coparcenary rights in ancestral property as sons. However, its implementation faces challenges due to lack of awareness, patriarchal resistance, and complex legal procedures. Various state-level land laws and tenancy acts also exist, with some states like Maharashtra and Karnataka having provisions for joint titling or preferential allocation to women, though their enforcement varies.

Looking ahead, securing women's land rights is critical for achieving several **Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)**, particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). Future implications include enhanced food security, improved rural livelihoods, and greater resilience to climate change as women are often primary custodians of biodiversity and traditional farming practices. The government's focus on schemes like the Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP), a sub-component of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), aims to empower women farmers through capacity building and access to resources, but direct land ownership remains a crucial missing link. Continuous efforts are needed to raise awareness about legal rights, simplify land titling processes, promote joint titling, and challenge deep-seated patriarchal norms to ensure that women receive their rightful share of land and power.