Habitat International Coalition (HIC)
HIC is the international body representing non-governmental organisations focusing on shelter issues. In 1987, HIC framed its constitution to be representative of community based organisations (CBOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to support them in all regions of the world, and to focus on the rights of those living in poverty to land and shelter. Because women form the majority of the poor, HIC's Women and Shelter Group concentrates on the particular issues affecting them.
Women and Shelter
Women rarely have equal rights, or access, to land and dwellings. They suffer additional burdens where services such as water and fuel are lacking because of their traditional role in providing these to their families. There are increasing numbers of very poor female headed households lacking adequate shelter. There is a need for concerted global action on these issues, as well as on women's increased access to construction and other shelter related skills.
Network
The Women and Shelter Network intends to address these and other issues by providing a forum for those directly involved to identify their concerns and to exchange experiences. Membership in the network is not limited to NGOs or to HIC members. If you are an individual or belong to an organization working on issues of human settlements, (including land, shelter, health, income generation, credit services or community organisation) which has a focus on women's particular problems, and are concerned with taking or supporting action at a community level, you may wish to join the network. By filling in the following form, you and/or your organisation can become a member of the HIC Women and Shelter Network. There are no membership fees. This Network intends to link people and organisations working on women and shelter issues, both within and between different regions of the world.
Newsletter
The HIC Women and Shelter Network Newsletter reports on what is happening in the different regions and publishes articles on women's shelter situation. The global Newsletter disseminates information between regions about what others are doing. Information is collected from membership forms and updates, reports and newsbriefs members send in. The Newsletter is distributed free to all members.
Membership
You can join either as an individual or as an organization. If you wish to receive the newsletter, please fill in the following form and send it to the Secretariat.
Unfortunately,
the secretariate is not equipped to handle on-line forms so please copy the
form (by highlighting the text with your mouse, copying and then pasting)
and E-mail it to wat@ud.co.tz. Alternatively,
print the form and mail it to the HIC-WAS Secretariate at:
Women Advancement Trust, P.O. Box 5914, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
You are welcome to pass on this form to other people or organisations that you think may wish to join the Network.