Women's land rights and extractives sensitisation in Kalumbila

The sensitisation in Luvungu, Kalumbila, was attended by many community members. As in Kasempa, it opened with a drama about a husband and wife acquiring land together. The audience responded with applause and ululation.

Asked what they had learnt, participants said the drama showed that both men and women have the right to acquire land. One man noted that land holders are registered in the village book, but that families should go further and obtain a title deed. Most women present said they did not hold land themselves; their husbands did.

Community members said SEPA's visit was 'like opening their eyes'. Their main challenge was knowing how to contact SEPA. Mr Kalolo, a SEPA officer, explained that SEPA's coverage in North-Western Province includes Kalumbila, and emphasised the importance of securing land through title.

Land and mining

Madam Muke Maggie asked whether residents had concerns about mining companies and their land. Participants reported that some people had been displaced by mining and felt that compensation and replacement housing were inadequate. Madam Muke highlighted the value of documented title when land is affected.

Participants described the benefits of joint ownership: growing a variety of crops, greater land value with legal evidence of ownership, and security for one spouse if the other is displaced. The community also raised the lack of a local market; SEPA suggested an application through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).