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Urbanization can thus be a powerful factor in creat-
ing the conditions for women’s empowerment. Turning
this potential into reality is one of the most effective ways
of promoting human rights, improving the living condi-
tions of the poor and making the cities of developing
countries better places in which to live.
Cities lend themselves to women’s social and political
participation at many levels.
For poor women whose lives
have been confined to home, family and work, the act
of joining an organization immediately broadens their
prospects. When women actively participate in an
organization, or take on leadership roles, they gain
self-confidence, new skills, knowledge and a greater
understanding of the world. Organizing can address
many of the limitations that poverty imposes on poor
women; it can begin to counter the costs and risks of
informal work. It can also help to reduce poor women’s
vulnerability, insecurity and dependence, including a lack
of knowledge about the outside world and how it works.
Organizing also helps women who have few assets to
pool resources, thereby increasing their economic power.
Savings and credit groups may help the working poor
access microfinance services, and producers with little
capital may buy raw materials at wholesale prices by
combining their resources.
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Such advantages could be enhanced with more
support. Poor women need a representative voice in
the institutions and processes that establish social and
economic policies in a global economy, in order to
continue improving the living and working conditions
of the poor. International, regional and national negotia-
tions regarding free trade agreements, the Millennium
STATE OF WORLD POPULATION 2007
21
Women have a chance to socialize and discuss their own concerns on a women’s-only car on the commuter railroad line in Mumbai, India.
© Angela Jimenez/World Picture News
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22
CHAPTER 2:
PEOPLE IN CITIES: HOPE COUNTERING DESOLATION
Development Goals and poverty reduction strategies all
need to include the voices and concerns of the urban
poor and, in particular, informal workers, the majority
of whom are women. Ensuring a voice for poor urban
women at the highest level requires that government and
international organizations support the growth of their
organizations and build capacity for leadership.
ACCESSING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH: IT SHOULD
BE MUCH BETTER
Access to health care is particularly critical for women,
because of their reproductive functions, because they are
disproportionately burdened with providing care for the
elderly and the sick and because they do more to relieve
poverty at the community level.
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Better access to educa-
tion and employment for women contributes to their
overall empowerment, their capacity to exercise their
right to health, including reproductive health, and,
overall, improves their life chances.
