This paper addresses the question of how housing cooperatives might contribute to women's shelter and development by presenting some of the results of a study of five urban housing co-operatives conducted in Zimbabwe. The differences between three male-only and two mixed-gender organisations are described and evidence is presented which suggests that housing co-ops hold potential as providers of shelter for women and other low-income groups. The nature of women's membership and participation in the co-ops is discussed and suggestions provided on how housing cooperatives could improve women's access to shelter, while also playing a role in women's social development.
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