Ways and means for promoting women’s participation and equal representation in power and decision-making 54. The absence of women as key decision makers in the political process continued to be an issue of critical concern in developed and developing countries. The unequal representation of women in decision-making was depriving countries of talent and wisdom, as well as diverse styles of decision-making. The persistent absence of women in preventive diplomacy and peace negotiations was of particular concern. Barriers to women’s participation included stereotypes, tradition and competition in political parties and with the "old boys’ network". It was noted that the political will for more women to function in politics was often lacking. The particular situation of women in countries and regions undergoing transition and consolidating democracy was highlighted. 55. Poverty, lack of access to basic resources, lack of access to political party lists, low salaries and discrimination in the workplace were noted as root causes of women’s under-representation in political decision-making. If women had to be concerned with survival, there was little time left for assuming positions of leadership and political power. Recognition of women’s unpaid work, and the sharing of family and household responsibilities, along with training in non-traditional skills, were mentioned as prerequisites for women worldwide to participate actively in power and political decision-making. 56. Ways and means of promoting increased participation by women in political decision-making and conflict resolution, and of achieving a gender balance in decision-making bodies at all levels, were discussed. Quotas and targets in legislatures and political parties were suggested as necessary to accelerate the equal representation of women in politics. Some noted, however, the controversial nature of quotas and stressed that they should be used only as a temporary solution. Some considered that women should still enter into power strictly on the basis of competition. 57. Electoral reform, specifically the adoption of proportional representation in place of plurality systems, was a possible means for increasing the percentage of women in parliaments. One approach suggested that there should be no less than 30-40 per cent and no more than 60-70 per cent of either sex in decision-making positions. Rosters of qualified women, as well as the setting of targets and ranking of candidates on party lists, were also cited as means for increasing women’s participation. Further research was needed on electoral systems and ways and means of reforming the practice of political parties from a gender perspective. 58. Attention was drawn to the general recommendation prepared by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on articles 7 and 8 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, concerning women’s role in public life, and to the importance of the Convention in strengthening women’s rights overall. 59. Women’s right to vote was considered to be a fundamental human right that women should exercise universally. Women’s votes were increasingly serving as a means of influencing political activity and shaping political value systems, including approaches to peace-building and peacemaking, but much remained to be done in this area. Voter registration and education campaigns were cited as tools for increasing voting by women. 60. Women’s participation in preventive diplomacy and negotiations at the peace table were considered essential to achieving peace and development and for -41-