Women and the Right to Adequate Housing

Abstract

In August 1997, the United Nations Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities adopted a resolution entitled ‘Women and the right to adequate housing and to land and property’. This resolution was the first of its kind, recognising the specific problems that women encounter when pursuing their right to adequate housing. This article deals with the legal foundations of the right to adequate housing in United Nations instruments. Since women face particular problems with regard to this right – direct violations such as discrimination but also problems as a result of poverty and their social position – these difficulties will be addressed. An overview is given of action that has been taken by various UN organs and bodies, especially the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. The adopted Sub-Commission resolution is dealt with in detail.