23 Oct 2013

BBC Africa Debate is expected to come to Botswana to explore the impact of inheritance laws and property rights on women in Africa on October 24.

According to a press release from BBC World Service International Publicity, the discussion will be hosted by BBC Africa’s Bola Mosuro in Gaborone. The release stated that the debate will be discussed under the topic: Do Inheritance Laws Make Second Class Citizens of Women?”

It indicates that in many countries across Africa, the right of the firstborn male to inherit family property still holds sway. The status quo, the release states, has been challenged in Botswana recently, as three sisters successfully challenged a customary law which would have given the family home to their nephew.

The rate of change, it says is slow and customary laws, unwritten but accepted by communities are still the primary means by which inheritance is decided, particularly in rural areas.

Cases are often settled through negotiations between heads of families or in customary court presided over by traditional leaders. Women’s groups argue that depriving women of land can lead them directly in to poverty, as well as undermining their rights to equality and dignity, while others argue that allowing  women to inherit land might weaken people’s links with their ancestral homes.

The release quoted the host Bola Musoro as saying, “the issue of inheritance rights elicits passion throughout the continent, and for some thinking a woman can own the family home is anathema and contrary to cultural norms.

To others, in age of equal rights, even a discourse on whether women should be allowed to own or inherit property is abhorrent. We are going to hear all these arguments in one forum.”

The release further states that the debate will bring together an audience of around 100 people, traditional leaders, women’s rights, politicians, men and women have been affected by inheritance laws from Botswana. ENDS