Land scarcity and family conflict in Rwanda: A case of Kinigi Sector, Musanze, Rwanda

Abstract

Through qualitative research, this study examines how land scarcity impacts on family conflicts with the case of Kinigi sectors. In doing so, 45 interviews were conducted with the view of exploring existing attitudes, behaviors, practices and perspectives formed or held by people due to scarcity of land thereby leading to family conflicts. The findings of the study show that despite effort made by the Government to put in place measures that protect the institution of family, there is still an increasing rate of land related family conflicts. Further, the rise of land conflicts was observed despite various land reforms. Findings suggest that the scarcity of land has worsened the situation with a growing number of gender -based violence. Culturally, men are considered as the exclusive owner of the land. The equal right on land as recognized to women by Rwandan laws are not fully translated into practices due to behaviors which in turns have been exacerbated by the scarcity of land. In addition, the study demonstrates that parents are living in situation of fear given that their children are aware that they may not have land as inheritance and thus, some children become violent. Also the study revealed that the population of the area has developed the cultural behavior of resisting to shifting to area with sufficient land which could be one of the solutions of addressing land scarcity. Population increase was seen to be a major cause influencing land fragmentation and leading to small plots of land in an endeavor to satisfy the interest of the family members therefore the study recommend that there must be legislation in place to check population density in the area of study and other neighboring areas. The study recommended also that the perspectives, behaviors, practices and attitudes on looking at land as the only source of production should be changed and this can be achieved by changing education from knowledge based to skills based. In addition, this study recommended among other things that Governments should ensure that land ownership is streamlined to minimize land fragmentation and other conflicts related to land that by extension affect the harmony of family. In collaboration with justice, security officers should be vigilant and proactive in addressing these land related conflicts before it is too late.