Campaign Rolls Out To Assert Women's Right Over Property

According to the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act 2005, daughters have a right to their father's property as much as the sons unless a Will debars her from claiming so. Moreover, the share is equal in the property, be it sons or daughters. A married daughter can, also, if deserted by her husband, claim shelter at her parent's house. While on papers, these judgements look ideal, in practice most households still hold property as an asset to be passed on to the 'rightful' heirs, that is, the sons. Not many believe in this patriarchal system and hence, here are some campaigns that aim to actualise woman's right over property. According to the Census 2011, there are 586.50 million women in India and the same census shows that only 13 per cent of farmland is owned by women. 

#PropertyForHer, an online campaign spearheaded by multiple organisations, was recently launched to emphasise the need for equal property rights for women across South Asia. It also encouraged women to ask for their share. Tweets have been pouring post the campaign launch. Dipali Sharma tweets, "Preservation of cultural, traditional norms cannot be used as an excuse to deny property rights for any women," in tandem with the theme of this campaign while Kuljan CK says, "Land ownership can significantly increase livelihood support for women and contribute to their empowerment."

Sometime in March this year, Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan also raised his voice for gender equality. Bachchan's held a placard that read: "When I die, my assets will be equally shared between my daughter and my son... Gender equality... We are equal." The superstar also happens to be the United Nations Ambassador for the Girl Child.

Here are some interesting facts about women across the world:

Women's work participation rate in India as per Census 2011 stands at 25.6 per cent while that of men stand at 51.7 per cent.

In India, married women constitute 41 per cent of the total workforce while unmarried women constitute 27 per cent.

Monique Villa, CEO, Thomson Reuters Foundation notes that women own less than 20 per cent of the world's land.

In Bangladesh, the statutory laws give men and women equal right to purchase and own land but it is shunted by inheritance rules (Shariah Law) , which place females at a disadvantage.

In 34 countries around the globe, daughters do not have equal inheritance rights to sons.

In 35 countries, widows do not automatically inherit their late husband's property, it either goes to the rest of the family or her son.

A World Bank report published in 2012 said, “Women perform 66 percent of the world's work, produce 50 percent of the food, but earn 10 percent of the income and own one percent of the property."

A Guradian US Series chalks the journey of women in history. Here is a gist:

In Ancient Egypt, 3100 BCE and after, women held equal financial rights with men.

In the Biblical era, 1800BC and after under the Jewish law, women could own property and sue others in court without a man representing them. Wives couldn't inherit directly from their husbands unless it is a gift or they have no issues but daughters could inherit if they did not have brothers.

As per Ancient Hinduism, 1500BC and after, women had the right to control stridhan which includes gifts and earnings from her own work. Divorce is not allowed and inheritance laws favoured male family members.

In 1771, New York became the first US state to require a woman's consent if her husband tries to sell property that she brought to a marriage.

In 1848, Married Woman's Property Act is passed in New York. For the first time, a woman wasn't automatically liable for her husband's debts.

In 1961, India banned the concept of dowry for allows women to sue if her husband's family harass her for the money. However, it goes largely ignored.

In 1986, Britain allows women to retire at the same age as men.

In United States in 2007, the supreme court ruled that women must sue for discriminatory pay.

You may want to read: Where's My Share: Understanding Daughters' Right To Property