Features Gendered Terrain: Women's Rights and Access to Land in Africa   Improving Women's Lives Practical support for women gives communities a better future. LAND TENURE, GENDER, AND GLOBALIZATION Research and Analysis from Africa, Asia, and Latin America Giving women a voice in government In the last two decades, decentralization of power and responsibilities from national to local levels has changed the face of governments around the globe. It has also given women new opportunities to participate in local politics and decision-making. *NEW* Universitas Forum Call for Experiences 2010-10-09 Call for Experiences on 1) Decentralization, local governance and women's rights; and 2) local development and women's empowerment

The WRC vision is that of a just world where women in the South have a sense of self that includes citizenship and the right to have rights; where all individuals have equitable access to justice and the opportunity to participate meaningfully in democratic decision-making; and where there is no discrimination based on gender in realizing the full range of one’s rights and freedoms, including economic rights and sexual and reproductive rights.  In order to contribute to this broad vision, the WRC’s mission is to support research on women’s rights and citizenship that uses gender and social analysis and focuses on the needs of poor and marginalized women in the South; that utilizes methodologies that are empowering to participants; and that engages meaningfully with decision-makers and policy debates, with a view to effecting change.