A Field of One's Own

In this comprehensive analysis of gender and property in South Asia, Bina Agarwal argues that the most important economic factor affecting women is the gender gap in command over property. In rural South Asia, the crucial form of property is arable land, a critical determinant of economic well-being, social status and empowerment. Few women own land, however, and even fewer control it. By drawing upon a wide range of economic, legal, historical and ethnographic sources and field research, the author addresses the reasons for this imbalance, and asks how the barriers to land ownership can be overcome. The study identifies regional variations across five South Asian countries and explores the interface of economics, culture and gender politics through an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural approach. The book offers insights into the current theoretical and policy debates on land reform and women's status.