By Emma Black

 Susan Mamatormah Rogers, Deputy Commissioner General of the National Land Commission

The Customary Land Rights Act of 2022 stands as a landmark achievement in Sierra Leone’s pursuit of gender equality in land governance, as articulated by Madam Susan Mamatormah Rogers, Deputy Commissioner General of the National Land Commission. This legislation addresses longstanding inequities in customary land practices, prioritizing women’s rights to ownership, inheritance, and decision-making. the Act’s transformative provisions and their implications for fostering gender equity and economic empowerment in Sierra Leone.

Madam Susan emphasizes that the Act explicitly grants women the right to own, hold, and inherit land, dismantling entrenched cultural barriers that have historically excluded women from land ownership. By securing these rights, the legislation promotes economic independence and social stability for women, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to their communities.

A critical component of the Act is its recognition of women’s inheritance rights. In many traditional Sierra Leonean practices, inheritance has favored male heirs, often marginalizing women. The Act mandates equal access to familial land assets for women, ensuring they are not sidelined in inheritance processes.

Moreover, the Act invalidates any customary law or practice that discriminates against women in matters of land rights. Madam Susan highlights this provision as a vital step toward creating an equitable environment where women can assert their rights without fear of cultural or legal exclusion.

The Act extends protections to women in the contexts of marriage and bereavement. It stipulates that surviving spouses, regardless of gender, must be treated equitably in matters of land ownership following the death of a partner. This provision safeguards women from being dispossessed of land and resources due to discriminatory practices, ensuring their economic security during vulnerable times.

Madam Susan underscores the Act’s focus on family-level decision-making, which grants women and children over 18 the right to participate in decisions about land use, management, and distribution within their families. This recognition empowers women as active stakeholders in land governance, fostering collaborative and inclusive decision-making processes that strengthen family and community cohesion.

The Customary Land Rights Act of 2022, as championed by Madam Susan Mamatormah Rogers, represents a bold step toward gender equality in Sierra Leone’s land governance framework. By addressing systemic inequities and promoting women’s agency, the Act paves the way for a future where land rights are inclusive, fair, and sustainable.

remains committed to amplifying such transformative initiatives, ensuring that stories of progress and empowerment reach communities across Sierra Leone and beyond. For more information, contact

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday,25th August 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)