Report - Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights

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Regional Trends and Patterns in Pacific
Women’s Rights to Land and Housing
Based on <strong>the</strong> testimonies and related discussions on <strong>the</strong> methodology, key concepts relevant to realising
women’s right to adequate housing were identified and related to women’s experiences in <strong>the</strong> Pacific
in order to develop a common regional picture <strong>of</strong> women’s housing and land issues in <strong>the</strong> region.
Lack <strong>of</strong> women’s participation in decision-making at all levels
Women are not included in all levels <strong>of</strong> decision-making processes related to adequate housing and
land. This is reinforced by traditional and religious practices and norms that give supremacy to male
power and <strong>the</strong>refore omit women from decision-making forums. As a result, women are absent from
<strong>the</strong> processes where government policies on land and housing are developed. Decision-making in <strong>the</strong>
clan is dominated by men folk. At <strong>the</strong> family level as well women are not involved in decisions pertaining
to land and housing, particularly if <strong>the</strong>y do not have a son who has a right to inheritance. The exclusion
<strong>of</strong> women from decision-making processes is largely due to a lack <strong>of</strong> understanding as well as an
underestimation <strong>of</strong> a woman’s capacity . The family unit is an important arena for women to participate
in because such decisions have a direct impact on <strong>the</strong>m; this is <strong>the</strong>refore an important level at which
to encourage women’s participation in decision-making.
Patriarchal cultures
Patriarchal systems <strong>of</strong> discrimination against women are reflected in customary practices and religious
beliefs. These are reinforced in <strong>the</strong> family and community, and <strong>of</strong>ten use violence against women to
reinforce gendered systems <strong>of</strong> power. Inheritance laws are one manifestation <strong>of</strong> patriarchy that
particularly affects women’s rights to housing and land. The lack <strong>of</strong> awareness among women <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir
rights to equality and non-discrimination limits <strong>the</strong> possibilities for challenging patriarchal cultures.
Intersectional
discrimination
An intersectional approach is necessary to address violations <strong>of</strong> women’s rights where women are
experiencing compounding discrimination, including on <strong>the</strong> grounds <strong>of</strong> sexual orientation, disability,
ethnicity/race (including <strong>the</strong> persistence <strong>of</strong> racism from colonialism times) and <strong>the</strong> multiple
discrimination faced by indigenous women.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 47