From 19 to 22 April, the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights attended and participated at the Association of Women's Rights in Development (AWID )Forum in Istanbul, Turkey. The AWID International Forum on Women’s Rights and Development is both a conference and a call to action. The largest recurring event of its kind, the AWID Forum brings together women’s rights leaders and activists from around the world every three to four years to strategize, network, celebrate, and learn in a highly charged atmosphere that fosters deep discussions and sustained personal and professional growth. This year's Forum is on Transforming Economic Power to Advance Women’s Rights and Justice.

The GI-ESCR hosted a panel discussion on Transforming Economic Power through Women’s Land Rights. The panel showcased lessons learned from on-the-ground struggles for women’s land and property rights, highlighting important pressure points for advocates. The panel drew out the specific country experiences of Uganda, Kenya and Sri Lanka to show how women’s land and property rights have been violated as a result of discriminatory customary practices, as well as the application of ‘gender blind’ land policies.

Fore more information on the AWID Forum see HERE.

For more information on the GI-ESCR Panel see HERE.