Author: Santina Soares
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Thesis no.GD-10-10
Year: 2010
Academic Program: Gender and Development Studies (GDS)
Type: Thesis (M.Sc.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 2010
Examination Committee: Bernadette P. Resurreccion (Chairperson); Philippe Doneys, Edsel E. Sajor (Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: This study assesses the early impacts of state‟s efforts to bringing egalitarian land ownership through the implementation of New Land Registration to ensure equal access to land. This study also explores the influence of the traditional land tenure system in Manatuto Distrct of Timor – Leste that has shaped the access of women and men to land and the differences that have resulted. The study examines how land access in what is frequently called a “matrilineal†society in which land is granted to women shaped women‟s bargaining powers and decision making. This author uses the arguments put forward by B. Agarwal (1994) and Arun (2001) that statutory laws and traditional customary practices in land tenure systems are often i n contestation during the implementation. The study uses mixed methods as part of the research methodology to examine both quantitative and qualitative data using a sequential exploratory strategy. The finding indicates that the people of Manatuto stro ngly follow the traditional land tenure system in distributing land and land transfer throughout generations. Thus women and men access to land defines by their traditional gender role. The New Land Registration System merely implemented in peri – urban area s which only benefited some people group of people. Land registration has also significantly stimulated men‟s interest to gain more and control over land in matrilineal society. As such by having a statutory land law alone have faced significant challenges due to social structure and gendered relations in the society which confirms the argument of Agarwal and Arun. However, the New Land Registration project has started by raising some awareness among some women and men concerning the importance of equal lan d entitlements. Keywords: Women and men, Egalitarian
Scholarship Donor(s): Ministry of Foreign Affairs , Norway
Note: A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science in Ge nd er and Development Studies, School of Environment, Resources and Development
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