Commentary
An international coalition of organizations interested in women and the built environments in which they live organized events of the NGO Forum to facilitate women's involvement in high level discussions of issues like land and property rights, access to credit, and decision-making power.

Several factors were crucial to their success. Firstly these grassroots, member driven organizations were cohesive and well organized and had resources of their own, albeit meager in some cases. Secondly the organizations had ongoing alliances and established relationships. Thirdly they worked together to make sure that the venues were available at the forum so they could successfully implement a program of the events. Lastly, they networked and maintained links with government in UN representatives to ensure they came to hear what grassroots women had to say.