Patriarchy, culture and land: challenges in securing women's ownership and titling rights in La Paz, Bolivia

Studies recognize that formal land ownership for poor rural women in developing countries may provide socio-economic benefits that may significantly improve women’s lives. Despite the high involvement of women in rural activities, in many developing countries women experience land tenure insecurity. Bolivia has some of the most advanced gender-sensitive land laws in Latin America, which explicitly recognize the goal of gender equality in land ownership and titling programs. Yet, full implementation and wide recognition of these laws remain a challenge in practice. Using a qualitative approach based on field research in the department of La Paz, Bolivia, this thesis examines how socio-cultural practices and norms combined with institutional obstacles, may hinder Bolivian rural women’s ability to ensure their land rights are respected, recognized, and secured. The success of ensuring gender equality in land policies and titling programs must involve an analysis and consideration of the local socio-cultural frameworks that may be gender discriminatory.