Report on Women’s Land Ownership and Land Management in Nepal

Introduction

Recent government initiatives in Nepal have led to a notable increase in women’s ownership of land, aligning with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 1 (No Poverty). This report outlines the current status of land ownership by gender, government policies promoting female land ownership, and challenges in land record management.

Government Incentives to Promote Women’s Land Ownership

1. The Government of Nepal offers a 25% discount on registration fees for land transactions when the land is transferred in the name of a woman, as per the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation.
2. Joint land ownership between husband and wife is encouraged by the Land Issue Resolving Commission (LIRC), facilitating shared property rights and promoting gender equality (SDG 5).
3. Nominal revenue fees (Rs 100) are charged when land registered in the husband’s name is transferred jointly to both spouses, incentivizing joint ownership.

Current Status of Land Ownership by Gender

• Total registered landowners: 11,467,382
• Male landowners: 6,983,851 (61%)
• Female landowners: 4,483,531 (39%)
• Total land parcels: 32,847,632
• Land parcels registered under men’s names: 22,024,170
• Land parcels registered under women’s names: 9,761,795

Trends in Land Transactions

Data from the Department of Land Management and Archive (DoLMA) indicate an increasing trend in land transactions registered in women’s names, contributing to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

• Fiscal year 2023/2024 land transactions involved 400,241 women and 403,451 men, reflecting near gender parity in participation.
• Urban areas show higher rates of land transactions, leading to increased female land ownership.
• Rural and remote areas exhibit limited land transactions, resulting in slower growth of women’s land ownership in these regions.

Challenges in Land Record Management

• Government and public lands identified include:
• 3,072,000 hectares of government land
• 9,399,000 hectares of public land
• 4,286 hectares registered under government offices
• Many government-registered land parcels are in disrepair and have not been fully integrated into the Land Records Information Management System.
• Records of land distributed by the LIRC remain incomplete and require updating.
• The Auditor General’s 62nd Annual Report highlights the need for improved verification and documentation of government and public lands.
• The Auditor General has recommended that DoLMA verify and clarify whether government-registered lands have been distributed to individuals.

Policy and Regulatory Framework

• The Government of Nepal (Division of Works) Regulations, 2074 BS, mandates national record management and protection of government and public lands, supporting SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
• Efforts to improve land record accuracy and transparency are essential for sustainable land governance and equitable resource distribution.

Conclusion

The government’s policy measures, including revenue discounts and promotion of joint land ownership, have positively impacted women’s land ownership in Nepal, advancing SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 1 (No Poverty). However, challenges remain in rural areas and in the comprehensive management of government and public land records. Strengthening land record systems and ensuring equitable land distribution are critical steps toward achieving sustainable development and reducing inequalities (SDG 10).

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The article discusses increasing women’s ownership of land, government incentives for land transactions in women’s names, and efforts to promote joint land ownership between spouses.
2. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Land ownership is linked to economic empowerment and poverty alleviation, as indicated by the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation’s involvement.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article highlights land record management, transparency issues, and government accountability through the Auditor General’s reports and land record systems.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Urban land transactions are higher, affecting female land ownership, indicating urban development and land use planning relevance.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.a: Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, including ownership and control over land and other property.
   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
2. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Target 1.4: Ensure that all men and women, particularly the poor and vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, including land ownership and control.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • Target 16.9: Provide legal identity for all, including birth registration and land ownership documentation.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Proportion of land ownership by gender
   • The article provides data on the number of registered landowners by gender (men 61%, women 39%) and the number of land parcels registered under men’s and women’s names.
2. Number of land transactions by gender
   • Data on annual land transactions involving men and women (e.g., 400,241 women and 403,451 men involved in 2023/2024) can serve as an indicator of gender participation in land ownership.
3. Revenue fee discounts and policy impact
   • The impact of government incentives such as the 25% discount on registration fees for land transferred in women’s names and nominal fees for joint ownership transfers.
4. Land record completeness and transparency
   • Indicators related to the accuracy and completeness of land records, including government and public land registration and updates in the Land Records Information Management System.
5. Joint land ownership registrations
   • Number of land titles issued jointly to husband and wife by the Land Issue Resolving Commission (LIRC) as a measure of promoting gender equality in land ownership.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com