Women's Legal Rights and Gender Gaps in Property Ownership in Developing Countries

Abstract

The Policy Research Working Paper Series disseminates the findings of work in progress to encourage the exchange of ideas about development issues. An objective of the series is to get the findings out quickly, even if the presentations are less than fully polished. The papers carry the names of the authors and should be cited accordingly. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this paper are entirely those of the authors. They do not necessarily represent the views of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/World Bank and its affiliated organizations, or those of the Executive Directors of the World Bank or the governments they represent. * The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this paper are entirely those of the authors. They do not necessarily represent the views of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/World Bank and its affiliated organizations, or those of the Executive Directors of the World Bank or the governments they represent. We would like to thank Kathleen Beegle, Bénédicte de la Brière, Markus Goldstein, Caren Grown and Dominique van de Walle for valuable comments on earlier drafts.

The effect of home ownership on the independence and participation of Kurdish women in society. A quantitative study of Sanandaj in Iran

“…Gender gaps are larger among marginalized and disadvantaged population groups, and larger in rural than in urban areas (Ibid). Several studies have found that women who own a house, land or other property are doing better (Gaddis et al, 2020), as is echoed by the research participant Shahnaz in the quote at the start of this section. They have more bargaining power (Agarwal, 1994), are less likely to live in poverty, have more decision‐making power (Mishra & Sam, 2016), and are less likely to stay in abusive relationships (Oduro & van Staveren, 2015).…”

“…Sykes and Sykes (2005) showed a positive relationship between age, income and interest, dividend and rental income with the relative odds of home ownership. In most developing countries, women acquire ownership of property mainly through two pathways: either through inheritance, or through marriage (Gaddis et al, 2020).…”

“…Exact figures of property ownership by men and women are unknown for many countries, because in household surveys, participants are usually asked to answer for the entire household, which hides the differences between genders. Only recently has new research tried to address this issue, and “documents sizeable gender gaps in asset ownership in developing countries” (Gaddis et al, 2020: 2). Gender gaps are larger among marginalized and disadvantaged population groups, and larger in rural than in urban areas (Ibid).…”

Financial independence of women – the impact of social factors on women empowerment in small island developing states (SIDS)

“…Equitable treatment for women under the law facilitates their access to financial services and increases their financial inclusion. However, in many countries, women still face legal restrictions which preclude them from owning assets, seeking employment or operating a business (UN Women, 2019; Gaddis et al , 2020; World Bank, 2021). Studies indicate that weak or limiting legislation surrounding family, gender-based violence and financial opportunities obstruct women’s empowerment.…”

Foreword

“…A recent study using data from forty-one developing countries shows that gender gaps in property ownership among couples is correlated with discriminatory laws related to property ownership, inheritance rules, marital regimes, and workplace discrimination. 6 Inegalitarian distribution of economic resources can rob women of agency, voice, self-confidence, and self-esteem. These effects are most keenly manifest within the household.…”