Despite the increase in women leaders, they are still a minority within leadership and struggle to sustain their positions, work within male-dominated party systems, and navigate political spaces that are often in conflict with their constituencies. In addition women in leadership do not directly translate to increased accountability to women's concerns or pro-poor policies. Quota systems have the tendency to bring into office elite women or those who may be used as proxies for men. Therefore women in leadership positions need support to sustain their leadership, be accountable to their constituents and deliver services and resources to the communities in which they serve.

In addition to formal leadership positions, grassroots women's participation in decision-making has increased with new opportunities and mandates for citizen participation, particularly at the local level related to increasing decentralization. However, despite new policies, grassroots women in particular struggle to sustain on-going engagement with leaders, and ensure their policy priorities voiced and implemented. While the decisions that are made at all levels of government directly impact grassroots women's lives, they are often confined to sporadic or informal consultations and are rarely able to access systematic consultations and formal decision-making mechanisms. In addition to an enabling environment and policies, grassroots women need support to organize and build their capacity to actively engage in decision-making and impact policies and resource allocations that affect their lives and their communities.