Vatican representative at the 19^th Session of Human Rights Council

(March 10.2012) Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva is attending the 19th Session of the Human Rights Council, in an Interactive Dialogue on the Item of “Adequate Housing” – highlighting the right of women to adequate housing, in their status as mother, wife, widow, orphan or to their equal treatment with men in the distribution of family possessions, of land and property in general. To promote women's right to adequate housing is also a way to combat discrimination against women and domestic violence said Archbishop Tomasi. The Holy See is convinced "that a house is much more than just a roof, but the place where a person realizes and lives her own life, but also where she builds in some way, her deepest identity and her relations with others. ” The church calls for greater protection and legal guarantees for women at the moment of pregnancy and maternity. Similarly, this Delegation agrees that priority should be given to women with children and to families where the father is away for work when the State develops programs of construction, distribution and allocation of housing. It recommends as well that in the process of building these houses the State should provide basic social services like health, education, drinking water and a healthy environment so as to allow women and their children develop a normal life. The Holy See also recommends ensuring, particularly in the “Forced Evictions” cases, that re-locations be put in practice taking into account the mandatory value of families’ unity. More we recommends ensuring a new arrangement that will guarantee adequate housing condition especially for women with children granting accessibility and proximity of school and child care services.