Chieftainess Kabulwebulwe Praises Government’s Supportive Land Policy in Mumbwa

Chieftainess Kabulwebulwe of the Nkoya people in Mumbwa District has praised the government for fostering a supportive environment for NGOs, including the Land Alliance, which is working to improve land security for women in her chiefdom. The initiative, in partnership with We-Effect Zambia and funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), aims to provide land certificates to women, securing their land rights.

Speaking on behalf of Chieftainess Kabulwebulwe, Palace Secretary Alfred Chali emphasized the positive impact of these land certificates in resolving boundary disputes and improving community security.
“The land certificates, along with the new by-laws in our chiefdom, will protect women who are often marginalized after their husbands pass away,” he stated.

Senior Headman Rocket Chilukutu also endorsed the initiative, noting the need for additional laws to address land issues more comprehensively.
“This won’t just protect women; it will also enhance how traditional leadership manages land matters,” he said.

Dynes Mbewe, Programs Officer for the Land Alliance, stressed the importance of working closely with traditional leaders to incorporate progressive policies into local land governance.
“The Land Alliance is assisting in drafting and documenting rules that align with the national land policy. For example, land allocation should reserve 50% for women, 20% for youth, and 30% open to all,” Mbewe explained.

The discussions took place at Chieftainess Kabulwebulwe’s palace, where village headmen and senior subjects reviewed and updated their local land policy with support from the Land Alliance.

Mumbwa District Women Association Coordinator, Clare Sianjelele, expressed her joy at the new land policy and issuance of certificates.
“For too long, women have been excluded from land ownership. Thanks to SIDA and We-Effect, women in Mumbwa now have equal opportunities and security in land ownership,” she remarked.

Mary Kaumba, a beneficiary of the land certificate program, highlighted the practical benefits of the certificate, such as helping her access loans.
“The certificate, which includes farm maps, will help resolve disputes. Even if I pass away, my children will be protected, knowing the exact boundaries of our land, with a copy safely stored in the Land Alliance database,” she explained.

So far, the Land Alliance, with support from SIDA and We-Effect Zambia, and in collaboration with the Mumbwa District Women Association, has issued land certificates to 1,319 beneficiaries in Kaindu, Kabulwebulwe, and Chibuluma, with an additional 2,400 certificates in progress as land mapping continues.

This initiative marks a significant advancement in securing land rights for women in the Nkoya community and aligns with broader national efforts to promote gender equity in land administration.