1325 (2000) of 31 October 2000 and the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly. including through ensuring their equal opportunity to participate fully in the political process. 10. The Commission recognized that some prog- 15. The Commission recognized that gender equality, ress had been achieved since the Fourth World Conference on Women in women’s participation in decision-making at all levels. Introduction of policies and programmes, including positive measures, at the local, national and international levels, had resulted in an increase in women’s participation in decision-making processes. development and peace were key issues for the promotion of women, and that new efforts were needed by all actors to create an enabling environment in decision-making. 16. The Commission reaffirmed the urgent goal of achieving 50/50 gender distribution in all categories of posts within the United Nations system, especially at senior and policymaking levels, with full respect for the principle of equitable geographical distribution, in conformity with Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, and also taking into account the continuing lack of representation or the underrepresentation of women from certain countries, in particular from developing countries, countries with economies in transition, and unrepresented or largely underrepresented Member States. 11. The Commission expressed concern at the serious and persistent obstacles, which were many and varied in nature, that still hindered the advancement of women and further affected their participation in decision-making processes, including, inter alia, the persistent feminization of poverty, the lack of equal access to health, education, training and employment, armed conflict, the lack of security and natural disasters. 12. The Commission underlined the importance of  the empowerment of women and their effective participation in decision-making and policymaking processes as critical tools to prevent and eliminate gender-based violence, and recognized that eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls enabled them to participate equally in decision-making. 17.  The Commission urged Governments, and/ or, as appropriate, the relevant entities of the United Nations system, other international and regional organizations, including the international financial institutions, national parliaments, political parties, civil society, including the private sector, trade unions, academia, the media, non-governmental organizations and other actors, to take the following actions: 13. The Commission expressed concern about the lack, at the local, national, regional and international levels, of sufficient information and data disaggregated by sex on the participation of women and men in decision-making processes in all areas, including the economy, the public and private sectors, the judiciary, international affairs, academia, trade unions, the media, non-governmental organizations and others. (a) Ensure that women had the right to vote and exercise that right without duress, persuasion or coercion; 14. The Commission reaffirmed the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peacebuilding, and stressed the importance of their full and equal participation in all efforts to maintain and promote peace and security, and the need to increase their role in decision-making with regard to conflict prevention and resolution and the rebuilding of post-conflict society, in accordance with Security Council resolution (b) Review, as appropriate, existing legislation, includ- ing electoral law, and remove or modify, as appropriate, provisions that hindered women’s equal participation in decision-making, and adopt positive actions and temporary special measures, as appropriate, to enhance women’s equal participation in decision-making processes at all levels; 2