CHAPTER THREE: DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL GOVERNANCE _____________________________________________________________________ 324. The CSAR also calls on political parties to encourage women to stand as independent candidates for political posts in order to reduce gender differences. Furthermore, it calls on women leaders (both elected and others) to strengthen their ties in order to constitute a political force capable of influencing political decisions and choices in the country. The CSAR also stresses the fact that CSOs have a major role to play in sensitising men and in assisting them to better understand the rights of women and the role that women can play in political governance. ii. Findings of the CRM 325. The CRM notes that the CSAR deals with the issue of the situation of women and their rights in a very general and superficial manner that does not reflect the numerous achievements of the Burkinabe woman. The report makes no mention of the acknowledged rights of women or of the instruments that support these rights. Rather, it deals extensively with the measures adopted to educate women on these rights. As presented, the report does not do justice to the considerable efforts and many sacrifices made by the country to ensure the effective promotion of the status and rights of women. 326. However, the CRM notes the political commitment of successive governments for almost two decades in favour of the enhancement of the status of women, who represent more than half of the population. Nevertheless, in spite of the progress and significant achievements registered during the past two decades, the situation remains noticeably difficult for most women at both the social and political levels. Concerning these achievements, the CRM noted a number of institutional and legal measures. 327. At the institutional level. This commitment has been expressed in the creation and maintenance of a Ministry for the Promotion of Women that immediately developed a national action plan defining five priority areas of intervention, namely the fight against poverty, the human resource development of women, the protection of women’s basic rights, advocacy for the purpose of promoting a positive image of women, and the development of institutional mechanisms responsible for gender issues. 328. The CRM also notes that the government has adopted a national policy paper on women as a response to the persisting inequalities between men and women. This policy is organised around six priority areas, which constitute the major areas of intervention, namely improving the social and legal status of women, promoting the access of women to decision-making posts, promoting the education of women and strengthening their capacities and expertise, promoting the health of the mother and the child, reducing the feminisation of poverty, and enhancing institutional mechanisms. 329. The CRM further notes the efforts aimed at strengthening the Ministry of Women’s Affairs. The ministry has created central departments, including the following bodies of note: 144