LAND TENURE, PROPERTY RIGHTS, AND HIV/AIDS APPROACHES FOR REDUCING INFECTION AND ENHANCING ECONOMIC SECURITY PRODUCT OF USAID PROPERTY RIGHTS AND RESOURCE GOVERNANCE PROGRAM Summary

Insecure land tenure and property rights for women are both contributing to the spread of HIV and weakening their ability to cope with the consequences of AIDS. These links are particularly acute in subSaharan Africa, and are leading to decreased agricultural production, food insecurity, rural outmigration, and additional infection. Strengthening women’s property and inheritance rights (WPIRs) is critical to reversing the downward spiral and stemming the tide of female poverty and new HIV infections.