May 2008

LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – After her husband’s sudden death in a car accident, Maureen’s brother-in-law was appointed administrator to the home she and her husband had shared. Though Zambian law provides for women to be named administrators of their own property, a male relative is frequently given the position. Serving as administrator can give unscrupulous perpetrators a veneer of legality for the criminal practice of land grabbing – after being named administrator, relatives can use the role to unlawfully strip the widow and orphans of their property.