Demonstrates how secure land rights are particularly important in helping to reverse three types of phenomena: gender discrimination; social exclusion of vulnerable groups; and wider social and economic inequalities linked to inequitable and insecure rights to land. Argues that policymakers should adopt and implement the continuum of land rights because no single form of tenure can meet the different needs of all social groups. However, a range of land tenure options enables both women and men from all social groups to meet their changing needs over time. This study can assist policy-makers to understand and apply practical ways in which people’s land rights can be made more secure and improve land policies as a basis for fairer and more sustainable urban and rural development.