Examines the question of whether women have special housing needs, identifies rural and urban target groups, and looks at shelter improvement in the context of economic development. Notes that women are an increasing part of the migration stream and labour force worldwide. Suggests that while their housing needs do not differ significantly from those of men, their access is much more restricted. Argues that the claim by women to scarce housing resources must be legitimated by a higher level of participation in development, made possible through improved access to services, infrastructure, training and employment.

Published and available from:
United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
PO Box 30030
Nairobi
Kenya

Housing and Economic Development: A Woman's Perspective

Report of a symposium organised by the Working Group on Housing and Shelter of the Committee on Development, Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Status with UN/ECOSOC on 13 November 1984, edited by Eric Carlson and Susheila Bhagat. 1984, 23p.

The two major contributions to this symposium examine, respectively, what is known about women and shelter in the Third World and some innovative programmes for poor women in the United States. Issues in Third World women's housing include information dissemination, and affordability criteria for low cost housing; solutions suggested include provisions for renting out rooms and for commercial enterprises within the home, and innovative financing. Cooperative and transitional housing (meeting women's needs in the period between emergency and long-term settlement) are described in the US programmes.

Published and available from:
UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service
Room DC2-1103
United Nations
New York, NY 10017
USA

Women and Shelter, by Margery Sorock, et. al. 1984, 24p.

This comparative study of the shelter situation of women in Paraguay, Honduras and Tunisia examines access of low-income women to shelter, its adequacy in relation to their needs and cultural factors which influence its effectiveness in meeting needs. Authors call for institutional commitment to women's special needs in areas of finance, employment opportunities, childcare, project outreach and information dissemination, and recognition of cultural factors.

Published and available from:
Office of Housing and Urban Programs
Agency for International Development
Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20523
USA

Making Space: Women and the Man Made Environment, by Jos Boys, et. al. 1984, 148p.

Written by seven women architects belonging to a British feminist designers' collective known as 'Matrix', the book shows how sexist assumptions about family life and the role of women have been built into the design of homes and critics — and still influence modern housing. Discusses how women designers and consumers can work together for changes.

Published and available from:
Pluto Press Australia Limited
PO Box 199
Leichhardt
New South Wales 2040
Australia

FOOD

Women and Food. Dossier B, JUNIC/NGO kit on 'The Key to Development: Women's Economic and Social Role'. 1985.

Contains the background articles on the role of women in food production and food security, particularly in Africa.

Published and available from:
JUNIC/NGO Subgroup on Women and Development
c/o UN NGLS/Geneva
Palais des Nations|
H-1211 Geneva 10Switzerland

Women in Food Production, Food Handling and Nutrition. 1977.

Although it is somewhat dated now, this substantial report of the UN Protein-Calorie Group is an important examination of the research and literature perspectives on women, food and nutrition, especially in Africa. It raises critical questions and points to the need for much more analysis of women's role on food production. This can be a valuable basis for further research and study.

Published and available from:
Protein-Calorie Advisory Group
United Nations
New York, NY 10017
USA

Women's Role in Economic Development, by Ester Boserup. 1974.

A pioneering study, this book surveys women's activities in various farming systems, the impact of modernization and development, concepts of land ownership and other influences. This book has become something of a classic in the literature on women and development.

Published and available from:
St. Martin's Press, Inc.
175 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10010

USA

HEALTH

Adverse Effects: Women and the Pharmaceutical Industry, edited by Kathleen McDonnell. 1986, 217p.

Examines, in a global context, how women are frequently exploited and injured by drugs. Articles from India, the Philippines, Canada, the Netherlands and USA illustrate how women are successfully organizing themselves to fight this ill-treatment and manipulation. The book is divided into three parts. The first deals with women as drug consumers, the second examines pharmaceuticals and family planning and the third describes how women consumers are taking back control.

Published and available from:
IOCU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
PO Box 1045
10830 Penang
Malaysia

Women and Health in Africa, by Jean Rutabanzibura-Ngaiza, et. al. 1985. 77p.

Reviews literature from 1960 on women and health in sub-Saharan Africa. Through this review the effects of social, economic and political changes in the last 25 years were examined. The focus is on rural women since 70 per cent of Africa's population is still rural.

Published and available from:
Evaluation and Planning Centre for Health Care
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Keppel Street (Gower Street)
London WC1E 7HT
UK

Latin American and Caribbean Women's Health Journal

Bi-monthly journal in Spanish (also available in English). It provides information on groups involved in health in Latin America and the Caribbean, on conferences, campaigns and the experiences of those involved in working for better health conditions for women.

Published and available from:
Isis Internacional
Casilla 2067
Correo Central
Santiago
Chile

Isis International Journal No. 3, 1985: Women and Health

This edition of the quarterly journal concentrates on women and health in Brazil as well as looking at health issues affecting women in other parts of the Third World. The issue was jointly prepared by the Sexuality and Health Collective of Sao Paulo, Brazil and the Isis International Collective in Chile. It examines women's role as the traditional healers. They were the unlicensed doctors and anatomists of western history. Today women have been pushed out of their role in medicine. The issue also discusses the aim of the women's health movement which is not only to recover knowledge, to denounce the expropriation of and control over their bodies, but also to participate actively in the formulation and implementation of health policies.

Published and available from:
Isis International
Via Santa Maria dell' Anima, 30
Rome
Italy

Women, Health and Development. 1981, kit in three parts.

This is a development education kit points to the link between women's health and development. It also draws attention to the interaction between the socio-economic aspects of health and the situation of women.

Published and available from:
JUNIC/NGO Sub-Group on Women and Development
Joint United Nations Information Committee
c/o UN NGLS (Geneva)
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland

Health and the Status of Women. 1980, 28p.

This paper was the World Health Organization background paper to the World Conference of the UN Decade for Women held in Copenhagen in 1980. It reviews many of the priority issues related to health and the status of women.

Published and available from:
Division of Family Health
World Health Organization
H-1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland

TECHNOLOGY

The Tech and Tools Book: A Guide to Technologies Women are Using Worldwide by Ruby Sandhu and Joane Sandler. 1986, 176p.

Describes 57 technologies used by women throughout the world in agriculture, communication, energy, food-processing, health and sanitation and for income-generation. Each description also includes a summary analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the specific technology.

Published and available from:
I. T. Publications
9 King Street
London WC2E 8HW
UK

and

International Women's Tribune Center
777 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
USA

Women's World No. 10, 1986: Looking at Appropriate Technology; No. 12, 1986: Appropriate Technology for Our Earth

Quarterly newsletter published by Isis-Women's International Cross-Cultural Exchange. It stresses the links between the situation of women in developing and industrialised countries from a feminist perspective. Issues No. 10 and 12 focus on appropriate technology. Issue 10 — examines how far women's needs have been met by appropriate technology and provides a general introduction to some of the problems and concerns of women in relation to AT. Issue 12 looks at the relationship between women and technology development and the ecological crisis. The issue is concerned with home, community and environmental issues and with women at the centre of their households, in the belief that appropriate technology must weave itself into the realities of women's responsibilities in terms of their daily lives.

Published and available from:
Isis-WICCE
PO Box 2471
1211 Geneva 2
Switzerland

Connexions, Winter 1985: Changing Technology

A quarterly magazine produced collectively be feminists of diverse nationalities and political perspectives who are committed to developing an international women's movement. This issue looks at the questions: Is technology gender-based? Are changes in technology the result of pure scientific research? Is feminist science possible? Articles from places are diverse as Australia, Uruguay, India, China and Norway address these questions and look at issues such as multinationals in South-East Asia, unemployment, the effects of new reproductive technologies and the incorporation of women into a changing Chinese economy.

Published and available from:
People's Translation Service
4228 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, CA 94609
USA

Lightening the Load: Self-Reliance for Women. 1982.

This workbook is divided into four sections: 1) Appropriate Technology: what it is, why it is important, its use for women; 2) Introducing Appropriate Technology Activities to Women: convincing others, introducing change, activities for women; 3) Resources; 4) Selected Appropriate Technology Projects for Women, prepared by the World YWCA South Pacific Area Office, it is produced by the International Women's Tribune Center, New York.

Published and available from:
World YWCA
37 Quai Wilson
Geneva
Switzerland

Appropriate Technology for African Women, by Marilyn Carr. 1978.

This is one of the best examinations of the impact of appropriate technology on women. The author begins with a historical perspective on appropriate technology and gives examples of the disastrous results of introducing inappropriate ones. She proceeds to a discussion of the deteriorating situation of women in many developing countries and how really appropriate technologies could help improve women's lives. Finally, she gives some examples of appropriate technology for women in Africa and includes a good selected bibliography of materials and addresses.

Published and available from:
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa/African Training and Research Centre for Women (UNECA/ATRCW)
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia

FUEL AND TRANSPORT

Women and the Transport of Water, by Val Curtis. 1986, 64p.

The haulage of water is one of the most arduous and time consuming tasks of rural women. This looks at the scale of the problem in general and in particular in Kenya, and suggests ways in which improved methods of transport could help.

Published and available from:
I.T. Publications
9 King Street
London WC2E 8HW
UK

Rural Transport in Developing Countries, by I. Borwell et. al. 1985, 280p.

An important and wide-ranging survey of transport policies in developing countries, illustrated by nine case studies. This volume will aid in understanding the kinds of low-cost improvement in the transport system that would be most valuable to villagers, including women.

Published and available from:
I.T. Publications (address as above)

Women & People's Ecological Movement, by Shobhita Jaim.

This is a case study of the Chipko Movement in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India where village women were instrumental in protecting the forests from being felled.

Source:
Economic & Political Weekly, Vol.XIX, No.41, 1984
Publisher's address:
Skylark 284
Shahid Bhagatsingh Road
Bombay 400 038
India

The Contributions by Women in the Development and Use of Energy, and the Potential Impact of New Energy Technologies and Systems on Women in Rural Areas, by M. Srivinasan. 1980.

This paper provides a preliminary statement of the contribution made by women in the development and use of energy in the rural Third World. The central thrust of the argument is that the important roles played by women in obtaining, converting and conserving energy, and hence their vital interest in energy technology innovations, have been neglected by researchers and policy makers. The importance of a wider concept of energy which includes animate sources, is also pointed out.

Published and available from:
Technical Policy and Assistance Council
Centre for International Technical Cooperation
American University
Massachusetts and Nebraska Aves, N. W.
Washington, D.C. 20016
USA

HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS

Consolidated List of Products Whose Consumption and/or Sale Have Been Banned, Withdrawn, Severely Restricted or Not Approved by Governments, Second Issue. 1987, 655p.

This series is an important attempt by the United Nations to bring together information on products that are harmful to the environment or to human health. This issue is divided into two parts, containing regulatory and commercial data respectively. Under the first part, the information covers regulatory action taken by 77 governments on almost 600 products. The commercial information provides data on trade names and manufacturers. An indispensable reference on hazardous products.

Published and available from:
United Nations
Sales Section
New York, NY 10017
USA

Adverse Effects: Women and the Pharmaceutical Industry, edited by Kathleen McDonnell. 1986, 217p.

Examines, in a global context, how women are frequently exploited and injured by drugs. Articles from India, the Philippines, Canada, the Netherlands and USA illustrate how women are successfully organising themselves to fight this ill-treatment and manipulation. The book is divided into three parts. The first deals with women as drug consumers, the second examines pharmaceuticals and family planning and the third describes how women consumers are taking back control.

Published and available from:
IOCU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
PO Box 1045
10830 Penang
Malaysia

The Global Trade in Dangerous Products: Underhand but Over the Counter, kit. 1983.

This press kit is based on the concerns and activities of Consumer Interpol, a major IOCU programme aimed at curbing the international trade in harmful products. The press kit contains two news features, three case studies and a background reader about Consumer Interpol. Each story is accompanied by line drawings, cartoons and photographs.

Published and available from:
IOCU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
(address as above)

The Product Safety Book: The Ultimate Consumer Guide to Product Hazards, by Stephen Brobeck and Anne C. Averyt. 1983, 440p.

This book alphabetically lists over 1,200 consumer products which have been judged to create possible hazards under various circumstances. These include household products, sports equipment, cosmetics, over-the-counter and prescription drugs as well as toxic substances found in the home such as fertilisers, paints and insecticides. The entries contain information about the hazards, the number of injuries and deaths, precautions and warnings.

Published and available from:

The Consumer Federation of America
Dept EPD
1424, 16th Street, N. W.
Suite 604
Washington, D.C. 20005
USA

CREDIT

Consumers and Credit. 1980, 324p.

Reports on how well consumers are aware of different ways of getting and using credit; their understanding of its cost, and how this understanding affect their decision to use credit. Credit problems of women were also examined.

Published and available from:
National Consumer Council
20 Grosvenor Gardens
London SW1W 0DH
UK

Improving Women's Access to Credit in the Third World: Policy and Project Recommendations, by Margaret Lycette. ICRW Occasional Paper 1, 1984.

Prescribes policy and project guidelines for women in development programmes by improving their access to credit.

Published and available from:
Centre for Research on Women
1717 Massachusetts Ave. N.W.
Suite 501
Washington, D.C. 20036
USA

Seeds

This is a pamphlet series developed to meet requests from all over the world for information about innovative and practical programme ideas developed by and for low-income women. The projects described are selected because they involve women in decision-making as well as earning. The pamphlets are very useful and informative.

Published and available from:

Seeds
PO Box 3923
Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10263
USA

Thanks to Teh Lian Choo and Marilee Karl for their help with this chapter.

"I read TILL THEY HAVE FACES without putting it down. The book brings women as consumers into a focus that has been missing in consumer literature. And it is sensitive to women's too often unspoken and unrecognized needs, especially of women in developing countries where the women's movement is just beginning to stir.

The book successfully places the needs of women against long established cultural patterns. Clashes real and possible are spelled out, but the steps for change are evident in the final chapter — the most important being the joining together of women to work jointly to better their lives and the lives of their children and their men."

ESTHER PETERSON
IOCU Representative to the United Nations,
Former Special Assistant for Consumer Affairs to US Presidents Johnson and Carter

Further Reading

HOUSING