Grassroots women leaders work to bridge the urban divide and secure women's leadership in inclusive cities

From March 22nd to March 26th 2010, over 60 women working to empower grassroots women to take leadership in community development in our cities and towns in 18 countries came together for the fifth World Urban Forum, Right to the City: Bridging the Urban Divide.

At the WUF, the Huairou Commission's delegation of grassroots women leaders and NGO partners addressed global concerns to end poverty and redirect development so that systemic crises are reduced through their contributions spoke in all of the important WUF events, including the Official Dialogues, Official Round Tables and Networking events, in the thematic areas of governance and decentralization, building safer cities for women, women's role in constructing disaster resilient communities, and gender inclusive land tools. The Huairou Commission delegation also sought partnerships with local authorities, national ministers, donors, planners and academics who were interested in helping grassroots women's groups find solutions to local community issues as well. Carmen Griffiths, of GROOTS Jamaica attributed the success to the level of organizing the leaders brought to the table, and the preparatory work that had been done during the Grassroots Academy.