Women’s Inheritance Rights Project: Post Training Assessment Report

The overall purpose of this report is to review the outcome of the capacity building workshops targeting elders, widows and child beneficiaries that were conducted between April and May 2012 and to assess the status of implementing the agreed action plans. The review was conducted between August 21 and 23, 2012 through desk review, field visits and interviews with the project beneficiaries and partners.

The training measures carried out by KELIN have been largely successful in scaling up the cultural structures initiative and facilitating increased access to justice for widows and their children. The trainings have significantly increased knowledge and awareness levels on the constitutional and legal provisions on the rights of widows and their children. While it may be too early to conclusively assess the long-term results of the trainings, there are clear indications that the intended results will be achieved. Already some outcome level results have started emerging among the widows, elders and children with a clear resolve and commitment to fight for increased recognition and respect of the rights of widows to own and inherit property and ensure that their children also realize their basic rights.

With increased understanding among the elders on the rights of widows and their children, and a resolve from the elders to arbitrate on disputes from a rights-based perspective, there are prospects for increased access to justice especially on issues related to land and property rights among widows and orphans in the coming months.

The training has also provided opportunities for economic empowerment among women through information sharing and creating linkages with the Women Enterprise Fund. Although not included in the project objectives and activities, cross-cutting topics on HIV especially in managing stigma and promoting healthy practices among youth have impacted positively on the training participants.