Women, housing, and well-located urban land: Gender-based spatial discrimination in South Africa

This article examines the intersection of gender, housing access, and spatial inequality in South African cities. It highlights how historical and ongoing gender-based discrimination, rooted in colonial and apartheid policies, continues to limit women’s access to well-located urban land and adequate housing. The study emphasises that women, particularly low-income and black women, face systemic barriers such as patriarchal property laws, economic exclusion, and spatial planning practices that prioritise male-dominated interests. These factors exacerbate the feminisation of poverty and vulnerability to gender-based violence. Using a feminist lens, the article analyses how housing policies and urban development often fail to address women’s specific needs, undermining their constitutional rights to equality and secure tenure. It advocates for gender-sensitive housing policies and urban planning to promote social justice, enhance family well-being, and empower women through equitable access to urban resources.