Resource information
Countries throughout the world are rapidly urbanising, particularly in the developing world, and for the first time in human history, the majority of people today are no longer living in rural areas, but rather in cities. This report examines the worldwide phenomenon of urbanisation from the point of view of women’s housing rights. The report focuses, in particular, on the experiences of women and girls living in slum communities throughout the world, premised on the idea that both the causes and consequences of urbanisation for women are, in fact, unique and deeply related to issues of gender. The report highlights women’s experiences from Africa, Asia and the Americas and background information on the global realities of urbanisation, including trends and analysis. The authors assess some of the primary ‘drivers’ for women’s migration to the cities, including issues such as violence against women, forced eviction, and the feminisation of poverty. These drivers illuminate some of the causes of urbanisation from a gender-sensitive perspective, reflecting the various catalysts which serve to propel women into the cities. Finally the report presents the key findings and conclusions of the study based on research conducted in the field. These include that governments should:
provide security of tenure, as a matter of priority, to women and their families living in slums
combat violence against women in all its forms, and provide effective legal and other remedies to victims of gender-based violence
invest in slum upgrading programmes and housing development programmes for the poor, ensuring women’s effective participation
ensure joint ownership of and control over housing, land, and property, as well as equal rights between men and women in marriage
enforce women’s inheritance rights and equal rights to marital property
raise awareness about women’s human rights, including women’s housing rights, at community and institutional levels
