Natural Disasters and Women’s Land Rights in Indonesia Toward Inclusive and Secure Tenure Systems

Abstract. Indonesia’s exposure to frequent natural disasters, coupled with legal pluralism and patriarchal socio-cultural norms, continues to undermine women’s access to land rights. This study investigates how natural disasters affect women’s land tenure security and explores pathways toward inclusive and secure land governance in post-disaster settings. Using a qualitative literature review, the analysis draws on legal frameworks, institutional reports, and case studies from disaster-affected regions, such as the 2016 Bantul and 2018 Lombok earthquakes. A thematic content analysis identifies systemic barriers, including loss of documentation, unregistered marriages, discriminatory inheritance practices, and exclusion from resettlement and recovery programs. Findings reveal that women face persistent legal and institutional challenges in reclaiming land after disasters, which often results in displacement and economic insecurity. The study highlights the critical importance of digital land certification and participatory spatial planning to enhance transparency, reduce disputes, and ensure legal recognition for women’s ownership. It argues that gender-responsive land governance, supported by digital innovation and integrated spatial data systems, can significantly strengthen post-disaster resilience. The research concludes that securing women’s land rights is essential not only for equitable recovery but also for building inclusive and sustainable disaster governance systems in Indonesia.