Commentary
Working together, women from grassroots organisations throughout the world gathered and strategized and formulated a statement that outlined the issues women face in securing adequate housing and meeting their neighbourhoods’ needs. Calling themselves the Women’s International Shelter Rights Caucus, the women developed their own forum in which to speak of this vital work and representatives of national delegations and United Nations came to listen. This event proved to be only the first innings series leading to women's greater participation at the Istanbul UN Habitat meeting and such meetings since.

In the 10 years since then a core of those participants formed the Huairou Commission, and international organisations dedicated to grassroots women.