A Field of One's Own: Gender and Land Rights in South Asia

Cambridge South Asian Studies

by Bina Agarwal

In this comprehensive analysis of gender and property throughout South Asia, Bina Agarwal argues that the most important economic factor affecting women is the gender gap in command over property. In rural South Asia, few women own land and even fewer control it. Drawing on a wide range of sources, including field research, the author addresses the reason for this imbalance, and asks how the barriers to ownership can be overcome. The book offers original insights into the current theoretical and policy debates on land reform and women's status.

Genres: Sociology, Nonfiction

596 pages, Paperback

First published February 23, 1995

Reviews

[Vik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good reflection on gender disparity in land inheritance.

[Oktaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Putting it here now as this is one of the foundational literature used for my master's dissertation. Agarwal, an Indian development economist, has conducted extensive research on women's land rights, especially in the context of South Asia. I adore her detailed and critical stance towards the issue, while also connecting it to the bigger framework. Here's a small excerpt of my dissertation, citing her work:

"Taking into account these interrelated factors influencing women's bargaining power, it is evident that individual efforts for land rights entail interconnected struggles against various aspects of gender inequalities embedded in social norms and practices, access to public decision-making bodies and so on (Agarwal 1994: 44). [...] creating a safe and enabling environment for women for them to establish and assert their identities confidently is crucial. Therefore, resolving women's issues cannot solely rely on land reform or redistribution for them, but also involves garnering comprehensive economic, social, and political support for this objective (Agarwal 1994: 67)."