CULTIVATING EQUALITY - The Inspiring Journey of Beatrice Carr Towards Land Ownership and Empowerment

Since 1847, women in Liberia have been unjustly deprived of the right to own land, a fundamental aspect of economic empowerment and security. Despite having limited access to land, true ownership rights have remained out of reach for them. This systemic inequality has forced women to navigate a patriarchal system where they are often relegated to secondary ownership by placing a man's name before theirs on land titles. Consequently, families have traditionally favored transferring land titles to sons, leaving daughters and female relatives vulnerable to land disputes and potential loss.

In the face of these entrenched challenges, courageous women like Beatrice Carr have emerged as beacons of hope and agents of change. Beatrice, a 38-year-old mother of five and grandmother of three, serves as the esteemed Chairperson of Alternative Dispute Resolution in Gbarzon Jarwodee, Gbarzon District of Grand Gedeh County.

"I am grateful to have received my share of land from my family, a milestone I never thought possible. Growing up, I saw our mothers excluded from land discussions. This achievement feels like a dream come true. I believe in positive change. I want to thank ActionAid, DEN-L, and FORUMCIV for empowering our community, especially us women," Beatrice reflects, her voice filled with determination and resilience.

Through the transformative interventions of the "Securing Land Rights for Women and Rural Communities in the Southeast" project, co-funded by the European Union, Beatrice's story takes a remarkable turn. She has successfully secured a one-kilometer stretch of land from her father, marking a significant milestone in her journey towards empowerment and self-reliance.

Inspired by her newfound sense of agency and empowered by knowledge gained from attending meetings, trainings, and workshops on land rights and inheritance laws, Beatrice took the bold step of advocating for her rights within her family. The support of her brother, who stood by her side in championing women's access to land, served as a powerful testament to the transformative impact of collective action and solidarity.

Today, Beatrice tends to her land with purpose and vision, cultivating crops such as cocoa, cassava, and other essentials to sustain herself and her beloved family. With unwavering determination, she looks towards the future with optimism, dreaming of the day when financial resources will be within reach to secure the long-awaited land title deed that signifies not just ownership, but a legacy of empowerment and equality for generations to come.

"I am now able to produce my food. I will eat some of the food and sell the remainder, making money using this land. I wish to improve my farming skills and learn new ways of farming in this period of climate change. With time I would like to secure a land title deed for my property.” asserted Beatrice.

Beatrice's journey embodies the spirit of resilience, courage, and unwavering determination in the face of adversity. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of empowerment and collective action in breaking down barriers and creating a more just and equitable society for all.