Equitable access to land and the security of land rights are
central to socio-economic development, food security and
poverty reduction. This is because land and its resources are
fundamental to fulfilling the basic needs of rural women and
men. They provide the basis for income and livelihood, food
and shelter. In addition to being an important economic asset,
land also contributes to the identity, dignity and social
inclusion of the individual rights holder. A secured right to land
is therefore important for ensuring the enjoyment of
fundamental human rights, particularly, the right to adequate
standard of living which includes access to water, food and
housing. The nature of land rights one has and the extent of
security of those rights are to a large extent influenced by the
existing land tenure system. This is because the nature of the
land tenure system prescribes the institutional arrangements
for land governance, the legal framework, implementation
and enforcement.