PPLA Research Findings Analysed at Expert Roundtable

On the 20th May 2022, expert lawyers, practitioners and gender specialists joined a half day roundtable event co-organised by Bonhishikha - unlearn gender and the Center for Sustainable Development, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh. Entitled “Pathways to ensure women’s rights to land that are equal, enforceable and claimed,” and moderated by Bonhishika Partner Syeda Samara Mortada, the event explored what realistic avenues existed to enhance women’s meaningful control over landed property. The discussion began as a response to the presentation of research findings as their bear on gendered exclusion by PPLA Gender Lead Nasrin Siraj, and CSD Research Fellow Dr Oliver Scanlan but by necessity broadened to encompass broader issues.

Chief Guest Barrister Sara Hossain, Hon. Executive Director of Bangladesh Legal Aid Services Trust (BLAST), noted that there is a potential to bring challenges to the right to land through the judicial process. Of course, these laws need to be reformed given they entrench inequality. In addition to changes in laws whether through parliamenta or courts, we need to change the structure through which and the culture in which the laws are being implemented. These issues are in many ways more pressing than the question of reforming inheritance laws. Existing social norms prevent women from fighting for their rights. This underscores the urgent need for social reform in a culture that strongly identifies women’s rights simply as those tied to that of their husbands. There appears to be a sense almost of pride in not owning property because women are provided security by their husbands or brothres. It is important to work with young people on these issues as they recognise the issues better and are less afraid of equality. They recognise that existing norms can be challenged, and changed, and that the world will not fall apart if they do.

It might also be a good idea to highlight the issue of expatriate and diaspora Bangladeshis who observe and follow equitable land laws when they are outside Bangladesh. If they engage in dialogue inside the country with fellow Bangladeshis and explain the benefits of these laws, it might contribute to changing mindsets and also exploring and understanding how fairer laws operate.

As Bangladesh moves closer to being a middle-income country, it is ever more urgent to address the issues of disparity and inequality that continue to exist, particularly between women and men.

Other participants at the roundtable included:

·         Professor Imran Rahman, Vice Chancellor ULAB

·         Dr Samiya Selim, Associate Professor and Director, Center for Sustainable Development, ULAB

·         Mita Rahman, Supply Chain Officer, Uttaran and Former Area Manager SALE Project, Jamalpur Sadar Upazila

·         Md. Moniruzzaman Samaddar, Project Coordinator, Uttaran

·         Fatima Halima Ahmed, Director, Uttaran

·         Shahriar Sadat, Director, Academic and Legal Empowerment, Centre for Peace and Justice, BRAC University

·         A.M.M Moniruzzaman, Director of Programme and Advisor, SOHAY and former Programme Manager, DfiD / FCDO

Tasaffy Hossain, Founder and Managing Partner of Bonhishikha - unlearn gender, had noted the importance of land rights to Bonhishikha’s mission and that they would be taking the issue forward through engaging a broader community of stakeholders, hopefully in partnership with PPLA.

A full report of the rich proceedings of the round table is available here.