Date: March 18, 2026
Globally, there are as many as half a billion pastoralists, and an estimated 1.3 billion people who benefit from pastoralist value chains. Rangelands cover more of Earth’s surface than any other land use type, and pastoralism provides livelihoods to communities in over 100 countries on all inhabited continents. Yet pastoralism and rangelands have historically been under-recognized and undervalued.
This report holds a brief presentation of findings across seven countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America on the legal status of pastoralist and mobile communities’ and women’s rights to mobility and access, key barriers and implementation issues, and a collection of eight case studies across these countries providing insights into the lived realities of pastoralists. The case studies highlight key findings on the challenges that pastoralists and Mobile Peoples face, including human rights violations, their resilience strategies, and the specific rights of women within these contexts.
With 2026 declared the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, RRI has partnered with Coordinadora Andina de Organizaciones Indígenas, Indigenous Livelihoods Enhancement Partners, Mainyoito Pastoralists Integrated Development Organization, and Step Without Borders NGO, as well as collaborators, independent consultants, national experts, and RRI Secretariat staff to gather this evidence on the current status of pastoralists’ and Mobile Peoples’ tenure rights.