Examining the Effects of Inheritance Practices on Women’s Socio-Economic Rights in Burundi

Abstract

This thesis examines the effects of inheritance practices on women’s socioeconomic rights in Burundi, where patriarchal norms continue to govern land succession despite national, regional, and international legal commitments to gender equality. While women constitute the majority of the agricultural workforce, inheritance practices systematically exclude them from property ownership, particularly land, reinforcing economic dependence and deepening poverty among female-headed households. The research employs a desktop-based methodology, drawing on domestic, regional, and international legal instruments, as well as scholarly literature and case studies. It reveals critical gaps in Burundi’s legal and institutional frameworks, including the absence of codified inheritance law and limited judicial enforcement of constitutional and international protections. By examining South Africa’s legal reforms and progressive jurisprudence in addressing gender-based discrimination in inheritance, the study identifies practical lessons for Burundi. The thesis concludes that legal reform, judicial training, and community-level sensitization are essential to overcoming entrenched discriminatory practices and ensuring women’s equal access to inheritance and related socio-economic rights.