The ambiguity of joint asset ownership: cautionary tales from Uganda and South Africa

This study uses individual-level survey data from women and men in Uganda and South Africa to examine coupled women’s joint ownership of land and housing. It compares women’s control over and benefits from jointly-held land and housing with those of coupled women not owning land or housing at all and coupled women owning them solely. The study serves as a reminder of the complexities of joint ownership in practice, particularly within families, that need to be considered in order for coupled women to benefit from joint asset ownership.