The Botswana High Court has overturned a customary law which prevented women from inheriting the family home.
The court said the law contravened the constitution, which guarantees equality for men and women.
Edith Mmusi and her three sisters went to court after their nephew said he was the rightful owner of their house.
Correspondents say women were not allowed to inherit property in many African societies – in some countries such customs are now being outlawed.
The BBC’s Letloghile Lucas in the capital, Gaborone, says Judge Key Dingake’s ruling brings customary law in the country in line with the constitution.
He said that in the name of fairness and equality women should have the right to inherit property.
Our reporter says Ms Mmusi, the only one of the sisters at the High Court in Gaborone, was very excited by the ruling.
“It’s a great day for us,” Ms Mmusi said.
It ends a five-year legal battle she and her sisters have fought.
Our correspondent says they first contested their nephew’s claim in a customary court in 2007.
They lost the case and a subsequent appeal before turning to the civil courts.
