Uganda’s women legislators are pushing for stronger land rights for women, saying this is crucial for gender equality and better decision-making in climate change matters. The Uganda Women’s Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) made this call during a meeting organized by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to discuss gender, land rights, and climate change.

Sarah Opendi, the chairperson of UWOPA, spoke to journalists after the meeting. She said Uganda has made progress in creating laws and policies on gender, climate change, and land rights, but many challenges remain. “As legislators, we must engage women more because they suffer the worst effects of climate change. They are the most vulnerable,” she said.

Opendi pointed out that women make up 51% of Uganda’s population, yet many still struggle to own land. “Our constitution says land belongs to the citizens, but in rural areas, most women do not own land because they lack money and resources,” she explained. She urged the government to help women access affordable loans so they can buy land. She also called for the rollout of Certificates of Customary Ownership, which would allow women without money for surveyors to secure their land rights.

Victoria Anib Majur Achut, the head of IGAD’s Social Development Unit, said the lack of land rights for women has slowed their empowerment across IGAD member states. “Land is about pride and economic benefits, but because of cultural practices and gender inequality, many women cannot own or use land,” she said.

Achut said IGAD created the meeting to discuss these challenges and push for policies that support women’s land ownership. “Climate change is a big threat, and women need gender-responsive policies because they are the most affected,” she said. She added that IGAD’s research in places like Karamoja, Djibouti, and Kenya shows that rural women are often left out of land decisions. “That’s why we must work with women in leadership to change this,” she said.

The meeting highlighted how climate change makes life harder for women, especially in farming communities. Without land rights, women cannot make decisions about how to protect their farms from droughts or floods. Many women also face eviction when their husbands or male relatives sell family land.

Opendi said giving women land rights would help them fight climate change and improve their lives. “When women own land, they can grow more food, earn money, and support their families,” she said. She called on the government to work with local leaders to change cultural beliefs that stop women from owning land.

The legislators also discussed how climate change is forcing many families to leave their homes in search of better land. Achut said IGAD is working with governments to make sure women are included in decisions about land and climate policies. “We need laws that protect women’s rights and help them adapt to climate change,” she said.

The meeting ended with a call to action. The women leaders agreed to push for new laws and policies that support women’s land ownership. They also promised to educate communities about why women’s land rights matter. “If we empower women with land, we empower the whole nation,” Opendi said.

As climate change continues to threaten livelihoods, the fight for women’s land rights is becoming more urgent. With stronger laws and better policies, Uganda’s women could finally get the security they need to build a better future.