Although the pluralist system of land tenure in Vanuatu does not directly discriminate against women, the operation of the system and contemporary interpretations of custom is increasingly marginalising women from the decision making processes regarding land management and control. Commitment to the principles of gender equality through constitutional guarantees and the ratification of relevant international treaty obligations, while providing a relevant legal framework for equality, have only had limited success in addressing discriminatory practices. This article analyses alternative ways to overcome the barriers faced by women that are currently under consideration in many Pacific island Countries, including recording and registration, as well as legal vehicles such as incorporating customary land groups, trusts and community companies. This article concludes that while both existing and proposed mechanisms have the potential to secure for women a greater role in decision making processes regarding land management and control, that potential will not be realised in the absence of knowledge, empowerment and the acceptance of the legitimacy of such rights.
通過認可土地所有權賦權女性：瓦努阿圖的增強女性權利機制
雖然瓦努阿圖多元化的土地佔有體系並不直接歧視女性，但該體系的運作方式及對這一習俗的現代詮釋卻在土地管理與控制的決策過程中日益將女性邊緣化。憲法中對保障性別平等原則的承諾及對有關國際條約義務的認可雖然為性別平等提供了相關的法律框架，但在應對歧視性實踐方面卻作用有限。本文分析了可幫助克服目前許多太平洋島國女性所面臨的這些障礙的替代方法，如記錄與登記以及將傳統的土地團體、信託和社區公司相結合的法律途徑。本文認為，雖然現有的和擬議的機制都有可能有助於確保婦女在土地管理和控制的決策過程中扮演更重要的角色，它們得以發生作用的大前提是知識、賦權和對這些權利的合法性的認可。
Translated from English by Xin Huang
Vijaya Nagarajan