evidence demonstrates that when a critical mass of women participates in decisionmaking their contributions and needs are more likely to be recognized and addressed even though attention has largely focused on womens leadership and participation in national parliaments there is a pressing need to realize women s leadership throughout the daily lives of all africans in the home in the economy and markets and in society as broadly defined reducing inequalities in access to health and education in addition to giving women greater choice in family decisionmaking can have significant benefits for women and important intergenerational benefits