Supporting Vulnerable Communities especially Women in Government’s Land Distribution Program in Sindh
January 1- April 30, 2009
Funding Partner
:
Oxfam GB
Project Area
:
Thatta, Badin, Dadu, Nawabshah and Kambar-Shahdadkot Districts of Sindh
Introduction and Background
Land has played a dynamic role in the history and culture of the Sindh and is a key source of livelihoods in the province. However, the existing land ownership pattern has historically been key hurdle in the socio economic development of the province and country as majority of the land has been under the control and ownership of minority influential landlords. Those landlords have been financially and socially exploiting the majority landless communities.
The first attempt for land reforms was made by the President Ayub Khan regime; however, the serious move for the real land reforms was made first time by PPP Government of Late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto when it came into power 1971. Unfortunately, the whole process of land reforms was derailed by the military dictator General Zia when it overthrew PPP Government in 1977.
The present government of PPP has initiated a new program of distribution of land among the landless haris, which is being termed as one of the serious efforts. One of the positive aspects of the program is that this time the land is being distributed among the landless women, which is not only aimed at reducing the poverty of the poorest of the poor but also empowering the women in the society by making them owner of some substantial assets.
According to the official documents the government of Sindh has announced the distribution of 212,864 acres land among landless haris, preferably amongst the women workers in almost all the districts of Sindh under land grant policy. In the first phase, the scheme covers 160 union councils and those districts where state land is available for free distribution. Government has also lifted ban on grant of state land amongst haris in accordance with land grant policies. According to the government, the prime target of this scheme is to reach out the poorest of the poor and the most marginalized people, with a central objective to reduce poverty, access of landless to the basic livelihood sources and ultimately to ensure the food security.
Overall Objective
Contributing towards land rights and equitable landownership of the poor and vulnerable groups especially women in Sindh (Pakistan) for their socio-economic and livelihoods empowerment
Project Purpose
Poor and vulnerable communities especially women receive and sustain landownership under the Land Distribution Program of the Government
Results
Civil society and communities are mobilized to independently monitor the land distribution process to prevent exclusion of the vulnerable sections of society especially women from the benefits of the program
Policy makers and land distribution program implementers are sensitized on the possible abnormalities and pitfalls in the land distribution process
Supporting Vulnerable Communities especially Women in Government’s Land Distribution Program in Sindh
January 1- April 30, 2009Introduction and Background
Land has played a dynamic role in the history and culture of the Sindh and is a key source of livelihoods in the province. However, the existing land ownership pattern has historically been key hurdle in the socio economic development of the province and country as majority of the land has been under the control and ownership of minority influential landlords. Those landlords have been financially and socially exploiting the majority landless communities.
The first attempt for land reforms was made by the President Ayub Khan regime; however, the serious move for the real land reforms was made first time by PPP Government of Late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto when it came into power 1971. Unfortunately, the whole process of land reforms was derailed by the military dictator General Zia when it overthrew PPP Government in 1977.
The present government of PPP has initiated a new program of distribution of land among the landless haris, which is being termed as one of the serious efforts. One of the positive aspects of the program is that this time the land is being distributed among the landless women, which is not only aimed at reducing the poverty of the poorest of the poor but also empowering the women in the society by making them owner of some substantial assets.
According to the official documents the government of Sindh has announced the distribution of 212,864 acres land among landless haris, preferably amongst the women workers in almost all the districts of Sindh under land grant policy. In the first phase, the scheme covers 160 union councils and those districts where state land is available for free distribution. Government has also lifted ban on grant of state land amongst haris in accordance with land grant policies. According to the government, the prime target of this scheme is to reach out the poorest of the poor and the most marginalized people, with a central objective to reduce poverty, access of landless to the basic livelihood sources and ultimately to ensure the food security.
Overall Objective
Contributing towards land rights and equitable landownership of the poor and vulnerable groups especially women in Sindh (Pakistan) for their socio-economic and livelihoods empowerment
Project Purpose
Poor and vulnerable communities especially women receive and sustain landownership under the Land Distribution Program of the Government
Results