Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” recognizes the fundamental role of women in achieving poverty reduction, food security and nutrition. Target 5.a aims to “Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources, in accordance with national laws”. 

As the designated custodian for Target 5a, FAO has developed a methodology to support countries in monitoring and reporting on progress in the status of women’s land rights protection. Progress in Target 5.a is measured through two indicators that focus on ownership and/or control over land.