This report seeks to answer two questions: (1) What has been the impact of litigation, and especially Ford Foundation supported litigation, on the women's rights movement? (2) How effective is litigation as a tool in promoting equality for women? The analyses, conclusions, and recommendations are based on interviews with the Ford grantees and other experts on women's rights, and examination of judicial opinions, and legal and social science literature concerned with women's rights. The report begins by looking at the historical context in which the women's rights litigative effort evolved, and then analyzes the existing economic data to see if any objective changes have occurred. Key litigated issues are examined to separate hopes from realities, and to determine whether there has been a pattern to the victories and defeats, and whether there has been an overall net gain or loss. Finally, some conclusions are offered on the litigators' achievements and an assessment of whether or not there is cause for disenchantment. Recommendations are then offered as to how litigation should be structured in the future in order to take advantage of the lessons of the past. (Author/MLF)