Land Records and Land Reform in India
Women and Land Rights
Laws give women equal inheritance, but few women own land in practice, affecting their bargaining power and credit access.
Law versus practice.
Law
The 2005 amendment gave daughters equal coparcenary rights in Hindu joint family property.
Practice
Women own only a small share of agricultural land.
Barriers
Social norms, lack of awareness and family pressure.
Solutions
Joint titles, awareness and record updates can help.
A joint title
A house registered in both spouses' names strengthens a wife's claim.
Assuming legal equality means equal ownership
Practice lags.
Key takeaways
- Daughters have equal inheritance rights.
- Few women own land.
- Norms create barriers.
- Joint titles help.
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