“The global housing crisis affects women disproportionately and more severely,” said Anaclaudia Rossbach, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), at a roundtable discussion held within the framework of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13).

Axar.az informs that she noted that around 3 billion people worldwide live in inadequate housing conditions, more than 1 billion people reside in informal settlements, and hundreds of millions face homelessness. She stressed that the global housing crisis impacts women in a more unequal and stronger way.

Anaclaudia Rossbach pointed out that women often encounter legal, cultural, and systemic barriers when accessing adequate housing.

“Women’s access to adequate housing is frequently made dependent on male family members. Women are also left out in land ownership and credit systems,” she emphasized.

The UN-Habitat Executive Director added that inadequate housing conditions increase the risk of domestic violence for women. “It is essential for women to participate in the formation of housing policy. Women mayors, ministers, and leaders must be represented in decision-making,” Anaclaudia Rossbach added.