diverting military expenditures for peaceful purposes. It was suggested that decision-making processes, involving both women and men, including in situations of intrastate conflict, could help to create a more peaceful approach. 61. The importance of creating national machineries, inter-ministerial bodies, national committees and women’s bureaux to ensure women’s equal participation in all aspects of decision-making, with adequate levels of staffing and funding, and located at the centre of political power, was cited as critical. In addition, the mainstreaming of gender issues in institutions was noted as another means to promote the advancement of women in decision-making. The need for effective monitoring mechanisms was emphasized, with time-bound targets and measurable indicators to evaluate progress. 62. Ways and means of maintaining women in public office once elected or appointed were deemed extremely important. Gender-sensitive pressure groups were mentioned as an important tool for maintaining women in public office. In keeping women in power, greater harmonization between professional work and family responsibilities for both men and women was considered essential. Increasingly, parents were reluctant to forfeit time with their families. Greater sharing of parental and household responsibilities between women and men was deemed paramount. Recognition of women’s unpaid work and the need for flexible working hours, for sharing of family responsibilities with men, and for women to participate in decision-making at the household level were also considered important. 63. The importance of education and training to enable women to have greater control over their lives was emphasized. Training for women candidates in the conduct of electoral campaigns and fund-raising had proved to be important for effecting the election of women to public office. Once in office, women often needed training in parliamentary procedures and budgetary matters. Leadership training was considered essential for women at all levels including the community level, including in rural areas. 64. Girls’ and boys’ education as a means of breaking down traditional stereotypes and promoting acceptance of diversity and women’s right to participate in decision-making was emphasized. The revision of education curricula and textbooks remained an important means of eliminating gender-based stereotypes. Attitudinal change was considered especially important at the earliest stages of life when boys and girls had not yet internalized sex stereotypes. 65. The role of the media in perpetuating sex stereotypes was noted, as was the need to ensure a positive view of women and portrayal of girls in non-traditional roles. Continued stereotyping of women and their negative portrayal as sex objects on television and in films undermined the struggle for women’s equality. The value of stimulating public debate on the diverse roles of women, particularly in public life and in the family, was emphasized. Despite the growing presence of professional women in the media, decisions about editorial content and production issues were still largely controlled by men. 66. An urgent need was identified for case studies on "women making a difference" and for the creation of a database to monitor women’s participation in government, corporations, political parties, trade unions, international organizations and the military. The Internet was noted as a new means to disseminate and share gender statistics and information on women’s leadership strategies, activities of national machineries for women’s advancement, -42-