Why Don’t Women Own Property?
A Glaring Gap in Access and Ownership
Did you know that women who own property have better control over resources, greater financial security, increased self-confidence, and bargaining power? In fact, they are 47–49% less likely to face physical abuse.
Yet, women in India hold only 13.96% of agricultural land (Agricultural Census 2015–16), despite making up over 60% of the agricultural workforce.
Laws like the Hindu Succession Act, 2005 and the Indian Succession Act, 1925 uphold women's constitutional right to property. So where does the real problem lie?
To explore this, iDare had a conversation with Abhidnya Salvi, a law student and intern, and Anchal Jain, founder of The Thought Project. Together, we uncovered six key barriers that prevent women from accessing their property rights.
1. The “Ideal Daughter” Trap
Many of us are raised with the idea that a good daughter is giving, self-sacrificing, and never demanding—especially when it comes to property. This deeply internalized norm makes it hard for women to even ask for what is legally theirs.
Women fear being seen as "greedy" or "ungrateful," especially within the family. As Abhidnya shared:
"Thankfully, I am one of those very few daughters who don't need to ask for their claim in the family property. I just have it."
Unfortunately, that is still an exception, not the rule.
2. Exclusion from Family Businesses
As Anchal pointed out, “Property and debates around property come from a deep position of privilege.”
Even in propertied families, women are rarely encouraged—or even allowed—to participate in managing or inheriting family businesses. Middle-class families often pass down shops and businesses to male members, while women are pushed toward domestic roles.
This fosters internalized guilt, where women feel undeserving of property because they haven’t been “managing it.”
3. The Burden of “Paraya Dhan”
The term “paraya dhan”—literally meaning “someone else’s wealth”—reflects how society views daughters as temporary members of their birth families. Once married, they are expected to shift their allegiance and rights to their in-laws’ home.
This notion makes women hesitant to claim their share, often thinking:
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“How can I ask from someone who is not mine?”
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“How can I take something that doesn’t belong to me anymore?”
As a result, women suffer systemic exclusion—both in their natal and marital families.
4. The Double Burden
While more women are working and earning today, it has ironically become another reason to deny them property rights.
Abhidnya explained:
"Because women earn money, they are expected to go and get it for themselves!"
This creates a power imbalance, where men "inherit" property and women are expected to "earn" theirs. The perception of giving versus taking further reinforces dependency and discrimination.
5. Lack of Legal Awareness
One of the biggest roadblocks is the lack of awareness about legal rights. In many families, especially those where gender bias is blatant, women are discouraged from being educated or empowered.
They’re not taught about their entitlements, and often, no one else is advocating for them either.
Without access to education or legal literacy, women remain unaware and disempowered by design.
6. Dowry as a Substitute for Property
Despite being criminalized in 1961, dowry remains a common practice—justified today as "security" or "savings" for the bride.
Anchal noted:
"There is a general belief that when women get a dowry, why do they need property?"
Lavish wedding spending and dowries are often used as excuses to deny women any further share in property, causing deep guilt.
"My family already spent so much on my wedding—how can I ask for more?"
But this wealth rarely benefits the woman. It’s used to uphold family reputation—not her safety or future.
Ending on a Hopeful Note
Despite the obstacles, change is possible. Our conversation ended on an uplifting note:
Abhidnya already owns property, and Anchal is actively working towards it. Their stories remind us that change begins when women know and claim their rights.
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