Grand Bassa County Land Administrator, Victor Brown, has clarified how women’s property rights have impacted the country.
Brown declared that no individual, or family member, has the legal authority to seize property belonging to a widow when such property was legally acquired and registered under the law.
He said, the Land Rights Act of 2018, provides significant protection for women, particularly widows by guaranteeing their rights to own, inherit, and safeguard property without discrimination.
Brown made the statement during a public land rights awareness discussion on his Facebook platform.
He explained that Article 31 of the Land Rights Act, recognizes the principle of tenancy by entirety, which protects property jointly acquired and registered by married couples.
Brown said, when a husband and wife jointly owned and registered property, both spouses have equal ownership rights, and neither can be deprived of that ownership without the proper legal process.
He further explained that in the event of the death of one spouse, the ownership rights of jointly registered property automatically pass to the surviving spouse.
Brown said, relatives of the deceased spouse have no legal grounds to take possession of such property.
He described the provision as a major step to protect widows from property disputes, forced displacement, and unlawful claims by family members after the death of their spouses.
“The law was designed to correct historical inequalities that prevented many women from enjoying equal rights to land and property ownership,” Brown said, emphasizing that women now have equal legal standing with men under the property laws.
He referenced Article 22 of the constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to own property.
Brown noted that women are entitled to these “constitutional protections equally.”
He also highlighted Article 35 of the Land Rights Act, which addresses customary land ownership.
He explained that individuals, including women, who have lived in a customary community for at least seven years, and respected the traditions of that community, may legally apply for a portion of customary land.
Brown added that communities that have occupied customary land continuously for more than 50 years are recognized under the law as collective owners.
He meanwhile, urged Liberians, especially women, to become more informed about the Land Rights Act, and use lawful procedures to defend their property rights.
He said, increased awareness of the law would help reduce land conflicts, prevent unlawful property takeovers, and promote fairness and security in land ownership.