Land law

According to Wickeri and Kalhan, land ownership can be a critical source of capital, financial security, food, water, shelter, and resources.

[3] The UN Global Land Tool organisation has found that rural landlessness is a strong predictor of poverty and hunger,[4] and negatively impacts Empowerment and the realisation of Human rights.

[5] In order to home in on this critical problem of inadequate land rights, The Millennium Development Goal 7D strives to improve the lives of 100 million slum dwellers.

[6] This includes increased land rights for impoverished people, which will ultimately lead to a higher quality of life.

[7] In order to reach equality, these groups must obtain adequate land rights that are both socially and legally recognised.

Several scholars argue that women's lack of sufficient land rights negatively affects their immediate families and the larger community, as well.

[9] Should there be an illness, domestic violence, or death in the family, women would be left landless and unable to either grow crops for food, or rent land for profit.

Land ownership for women is a crucial form of security and income, increasing Empowerment and decreasing Poverty.

Kanakalatha Mukund makes the important point that although women in India have the legal right to own land, very few actually do as a result of the patriarchal practices which dominate the nation.

According to Bina Agarwal, land ownership defines social status and political power in the household and in the village, shaping relationships and creating family dynamics.

Without political pull in the village, and with limited bargaining powers within the household, women lack the voice to advocate for their own rights.

A study by Bina Agarwal found that in West Bengal, prosperous families turn destitute when the male head of the household dies, as women are not permitted to take over their husband's land.

[9] Bina Agarwal argues that land ownership significantly decreases the chance of domestic violence against Indian women.

[10] Owning property elevates women to a higher status within the household, allowing more equality and bargaining power.

In addition, owning property separately from their husbands allowed women an opportunity of escape from abusive relationships.