In April 2002, the UN Commission on Human Rights adopted Resolution 2002/49 on Women's Equal Ownership, Access to and Control over Land and the Equal Rights to Own Property and to Adequate Housing. In this Resolution, the Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing was requested to submit a study on women and adequate housing. For the preparation of this study, a questionnaire was developed to solicit information from States, local authorities, civil society and other stakeholders. As part of this information collecting exercise, UN-HABITAT organized a Regional Consultation for the Special Rapporteur in October 2002, during which civil society organizations shared testimonies and presentations on the situations in their countries. The Special Rapporteur continues to collect information on women's land, housing and property rights.

The purpose of the questionnaire is to solicit information from States, local authorities, civil society and other stakeholders for the preparation of a study on the topic of women and housing, which the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing will be submitting to the Commission on Human Rights in 2003 pursuant to its resolution 2002/49 entitled "Women's equal ownership of, access to and control over land and the equal rights to own property and to adequate housing."

In his first report to the Commission on Human Rights (E/CN.4/2001/51), the Special Rapporteur called for a broad interpretation of the right to adequate housing, which he defined as "the right of every woman, man, youth and child to gain and sustain a secure home and community in which to live in peace and dignity." He further developed a framework of analysis in addressing issues of housing-related discriminations which was presented in his second report (see paras. 37-47 in E/CN.4/2002/59).

If you or your organization wishes to contribute, please answer the questions contained in the Questionnaire, Download