• Learn the rules that apply to the parliamentary
  "mode d'emploi", or functioning;

• Use these rules to bring about desired changes; and

• Change the rules, which, in some instances, may
  be unhelpful in advancing women's concerns.

Each tactic embodies various strategies which fall under four broad categories: the nature of the institution of parliament, issues of representation, the discourse used about and for women MPs, and legislative or policy outputs.

One of the frequently mentioned aspects of learning the rules while impacting through the different categories, is the need for training and orientation exercises for MPs, which would also enable them, among other things, to:

• Distinguish between women's perspectives and women's issues;

• Network with media and women's organizations on various levels ­ local, regional and international; and

• Take an active role within a broad range of committees.

When it comes to changing the rules, women MPs need to consider:

• The establishment of national machinery to support women's causes and to monitor implementation of policies and recommendations;

• Changing the candidate selection rules for their parties, especially with regard to leadership positions;

• Establishment of mechanisms within parliament which would give women MPs priority in areas where they are under-represented or less vocal than their male counterparts ­ such as giving women MPs the opportunity to speak first, and instituting quotas within different committees in parliament;

• Providing special incentives for initiatives outside of parliament which sponsor and support women's issues and women's representation (e.g. women's leadership training schools, media programmes on women politicians); and

• Expanding legislation to include emerging issues of interest to women.

In addition to the concrete suggestions to enhance impact outlined in this section of the handbook, further general areas of need have also been highlighted, including:

• General awareness-raising and particularly the realization of the potential of rural women;

• Impact-based research and training for women;

• Understanding and targeting the media's critical role in shaping discourse and action;

• Constant positive discrimination which would enable women to enlarge their numbers in the political arena, as well as amend laws (or introduce new ones) to encourage women's participation ­ e.g. quotas for women in different areas of public involvement and allocation of specific funds to promote women's participation;

• Concerted and impact-based positive action on the part of governments (e.g. through national machinery), women's organizations, as well as other public and interest-based organizations.

• Constant caucusing and networking between MPs and outside organizations and interest groups working for the enhancement of women's position generally.

The case studies on South Africa and Norway illustrated the diverse conditions and areas in which women are making an impact. The changes, among many others, include:

• Institutional and representational changes ­ such as the specification of a women's budget and the creation of national machinery in the form of the Office of the Status of Women and the Gender Commission in South Africa.

• Changes in discourse ­ such as co-operating and networking with the women's movement to change the way in which women are referred to in Norway.