put in some nice quotes here

When we talk about women moving into decision-making positions, we know people try to make excuses for the status quo. Here are some ideas on how to respond.

"But women don't yet have the capacity..."

When you look at what women at the grassroots can achieve, the long hours of hard work, multi-tasking, attending literacy classes, voluntary work in the community, the strong will for survival against all odds… why do we imagine that these same women can't employ these same capacities at national level? The key issues - education, health, livelihoods - would be quickly and comprehensively addressed and with imaginative solutions. There would also be the immediate elimination of corruption.

"But we need to appoint people on merit..."

This old argument won't wash any more. We have waited too long. We can't wait for another 20 years for the results of universal primary education. There is already a cadre of capable experienced educated women in every country who could do the job but who are prevented from rising to the top. Besides, whatever experience and qualifications men appear to have that gives them "merit" they are still getting it wrong. The masculine models are simply not working. How could we possibly make a worse job of it?

"But women leaders are just as bad as men!"

Unfortunately those few women who do mysteriously rise to the top in the present system are those who have largely espoused masculine values - that is, they're almost invariably right wing (although they do try to be cute: Maggie Thatcher, Angie Merkel, Condi Rice...) Women are the world's natural socialists - because for so long we have had no economic independence, we have had to rely on social capital to get by. Men are natural capitalists - they are motivated by the desire to have more than the next man (or woman).

"But the door is open for women - why don't more come forward?"

The problem is, on a day to day level, the battle is still so hard for a woman in a male dominated structure. Take the metaphor of the 4x4 vehicle. It's built by men - for men. It's practically impossible for a small woman to get up into (or even down out of) a 4x4 with any dignity. (If you're lucky there may be a step on the passenger side). Of course, when you're in, you can drive it as well as anyone (in fact, statistically, more safely). That's what it's like as a woman in a man's world - we are constantly trying to fit into structures that are simply not designed for us. Our driver told us that now you can order a new 4x4 with steps, both on the passenger and driver's side. It's a step in the right direction, but you still have to pay extra for it.