International meeting in Uruguay to advance Women's ESCR related to land and resources

From 26 to 28 August, 2015, the Women and ESCR Working Group held an international strategy meeting to promote women's ESCR in Montevideo, Uruguay. The meeting – “Advancing Women’s ESCR: Alternative Visions of Development, Land and Property Rights” – brought together 30 human rights leaders to engage with housing, land and resources issues (HLR) from a women’s rights perspective.

Over the course of the three days, the participants shared experiences regarding their struggles for women’s rights related to HLR; discussed how these issues reinforce the interdependence of economic, political, social, civil and cultural rights; and highlighted the disproportionate impacts experienced by women in terms of the gender-specific ways in which violations often entrench unequal resource allocation and women’s unequal status within their families, communities and societies.

Throughout the meeting, women shared information on the strategies used by their groups to advocate for women’s rights to housing, land and property in international fora, as well as addressing issues related to accessing natural resources. The group also identified specific gaps and opportunities for collective action.

Please download the meeting agenda and the list of participants.