Study in Kangra reveals persistent gender gap in land ownership and inheritance rights
Shimla: Stressing the need for greater awareness and social change, Himachal Pradesh State Women’s Commission Chairperson Vidya Negi on Thursday announced that the Commission will launch public awareness campaigns and special camps to educate women about their land and property rights.
She was speaking at a one-day workshop organized by Parvatiya Mahila Vikas Trust (PMVT) on a study examining the status of women’s land rights in Kangra district.
Addressing participants, Negi said land and property are not merely economic assets but also symbols of dignity, security and self-reliance. “Women’s ownership of land and property strengthens their economic position, enhances decision-making power and increases their standing within families and society,” she said.
She emphasized that daughters must receive equal rights in family property, describing it as not only a legal requirement but also an important step toward social justice. The proposed awareness camps will involve experts who will educate women and communities about legal provisions and property ownership rights.
Study highlights gender disparity
The PMVT study, conducted across 10 panchayats in Kangra district, surveyed 302 respondents, of whom 73 per cent were women. The findings revealed significant gender disparities in land and property ownership despite existing legal safeguards.
According to the report, 76 per cent of houses are owned by men, while only 18 per cent are registered in women’s names. Just six per cent fall under joint ownership or other categories. Men also accounted for 77 per cent of new property purchases, compared to 17 per cent by women.
The study further found that 32 per cent of respondents believed sons should be the primary heirs to ancestral property, while only 13 per cent felt daughters should have that status. Family property remained largely concentrated in the hands of male heads, with 63 per cent of assets registered in their names.
Limited awareness of legal rights
One of the most striking findings was the low level of legal awareness among women. Nearly 67 per cent of women surveyed were unable to read or understand land-related documents, and only four per cent had ever attended a land rights awareness programme.
The report noted that women continue to face barriers such as disability, natural disasters, financial difficulties, social pressure and caste-related challenges in accessing land rights. Traditional inheritance systems and social norms remain major obstacles to gender equality in property ownership.
Tribal women face greater challenges
The situation was found to be particularly difficult for women from Scheduled Tribe communities. Among the surveyed ST women, only 17 per cent reported owning a house. The study noted that tribal women often face exclusion from both mainstream legal protections and traditional systems of inheritance.
Climate change impacts women disproportionately
The report also examined the impact of climate change on livelihoods and land ownership. It found that 44 respondents had experienced landslides, 43 had abandoned farming due to adverse weather and crop losses, while 26 families had lost land or housing because of natural disasters.
Researchers concluded that women with weak land rights are more vulnerable to climate-related disasters and often have limited participation in rehabilitation and recovery processes.
Call for social change
Senior journalist Archana Phul said women’s land rights require a mass social movement and greater public awareness. She observed that many women hesitate to claim ancestral property due to family pressure and concerns about damaging relationships with brothers.
The study recommends increasing women’s legal awareness, improving access to land records, creating Panchayat-level support mechanisms and ensuring women’s land rights are prioritized in post-disaster rehabilitation policies.
The report concludes that legal provisions alone are not enough for women’s empowerment and that meaningful change will require shifts in social attitudes as well as stronger administrative support.
