On Relevant Provision Of Land Right Act
Monrovia, Liberia – With assistance from the Liberia Land Authority (LLA), the Multi-Actors Platform on Land Governance and Responsible Agricultural Investment in Liberia (MAP Liberia Land Platform) has wrapped up a one-day capacity building workshop for PWDs on the pertinent Land Rights Act (LRA) provision.
PWDs still face obstacles in understanding how they can contribute to Liberia’s land sector, protecting the land rights of women and girls with disabilities, comprehending the institutional and organizational arrangements of the LLA, understanding the differences between the four (4) categories of land ownership under the LRA of 2018, the implementation of the LRA, and how marginalized groups, including people with disabilities are taken into account under the law, despite numerous previous awareness campaigns.
The daylong exercise provided the opportunity for PWDs to acquire improve knowledge and understanding on the relevant provision of the LRA that will enable them participate in major decision-marking forum for the implementation of the law.
Additionally, the training enables the PWD to participate in a vigorous advocacy campaign with other members of the women, youth, and PWDs theme group and to share their newly gained knowledge and experiences with members of their organizations.
The training examined the PWDs’ understanding of the four (4) legal categories of land ownership; creates a role map outlining the PWDs’ contributions to their land ownership and their roles in putting the LRA into practice, and documents case studies and experiences that can be used for advocacy.
The Land Rights Act offers four (4) forms of land: government land, public land, private land, and customary land, according to Aretha Togba, Program Coordinator, Organization for Women Empowerment, who provided background information on the law. She pointed out that in accordance with customary land, communities must form Community Land Development Management Committees (CLDMCs) in order to oversee and manage their property.
Madam Togba mentioned that: “Each community shall draft by-laws for the management of the CLDMC. All concessions granted on customary land before the signing of the law remains valid for the agreed period and the land goes back to the community after the concession agreement expires.”
ighlighting the importance of women land rights especially PWDs, Madam Togba averred that the LRA provides that women can equally participate in decisions to develop and manage land in their communities. “Women can singly, jointly or collectively own land by themselves and with others including husbands and siblings.”
Also speaking, the Executive Director of the National Union of Organizations of the Disable, pointed out that PWDs should be included in every implementation of the Land Rights Act. He also called on the Liberia Land Authority to consider the employment of PWDs in every decision-making process.
According to Yarsiah, PWDs has been marginalized over the past years. He added: “We are calling the LLA to involve PWDs in the timely intervention of land dispute. PWDs should be fully represented in all land rights sectors including the LLA and the Community Land Development Management Committee-(CLDMC)”
Yarsiah pointed out that the issues of PWDs in the LRA should be clearly define as it relates to women, youth and children. “The LLA should increase the awareness through radio talk shows, sign language interpreter.
Reported by: Prince Saah
Contact: +231778239813
Email: saahprince119@gmail.com
