The reduction of inequalities between women and men through gendered development projects that aims to empower women is essential for poverty alleviation and a more feminist and democratic state Therefore institutions play a central role in targeting these inequalities and moreover they are responsible for the development outcomes Branisa and Klansen 2013 252 hence the enrolment of women in formal political institutions is seen as a key to engender democracy Cornwall and Goetz 2006 783 Women s participation as well as representation in formal institutions have substantially increased around the world yet governments laws such as access to landownership 7 still hinder women s empowerment Landesa 2017 and contribute to women s subordination poverty and inequality Deere 2017 Ownership of land is vital for strengthening women s agency however patriarchal societies have ignored this issue and in many cases local institutions have created barriers for women to own land Landesa 2017
