A/HRC/4/18 page 33 configuration and other practical features. The State must ensure that building and housing laws and policies do not preclude free expression, including cultural and religious diversity. Q24. What policies and measures have been adopted to ensure/encourage popular participation in the decision-making process with regard to housing policies and planning? Are women sufficiently represented in the process? Q25. Do the housing laws and policies expressly protect, promote and fulfil the right to freedom of expression to ensure harmonious and effective design, implementation and maintenance of the community? (l) Resettlement, restitution, compensation, non-refoulement and return. Resettlement may be essential to survival in the case of natural or human-made disasters, including in conflict and post-conflict situations. Therefore, the congruent right to freedom of movement can be essential to the fulfilment of all other rights. Any resettlement arrangement, whatever the cause, must be consensual, fair and adequate to meet individual and collective needs. Q26. Are there special measures adopted in resettlement processes that recognize the need of women and female-headed households to sufficient access to the sources of livelihood, productive land, infrastructure, social services and civic amenities, as well as fair and adequate restitution and/or compensation for losses? (m) Privacy and security. Every woman, man, youth and child has the right to live and conduct her/his private life in a secure place and be protected from threats or acts that compromise her/his mental and/or physical well-being or integrity inside or outside the home. Q27. What measures have been adopted to ensure physical and mental security and personal privacy of women, including preventing domestic violence? (n) Access to remedies. Provision of domestic legal and other remedies is an important part of protecting the right to adequate housing. Individuals and groups must be protected from abuse by landlords, property developers, landowners or any other third party capable of abusing their rights. Where such infringements do occur, public authorities should act to preclude further deprivations as well as guaranteeing access to judicial redress including legal and equitable remedies for any infringement caused. Q28. Are there remedies and legal aid available for women? What measures have been adopted to ensure equal access of women to judicial processes and remedies? What are other innovative mechanisms such as self-help groups and women’s collectives that can facilitate women’s access to housing and livelihood? (o) Education and empowerment. Individuals and communities should have access to technical assistance and other means to enable them to improve their living standards and fully realize their economic, cultural and social rights and development potential. The State, for its part, should endeavour to promote and provide for catalysts and mechanisms for the same, including efforts to ensure that all citizens are aware of procedural measures available for defending and realizing her/his right to adequate housing. Human rights education is a key part of such an empowerment strategy.