CEDAW/C/1996/3/Add.4 English Page 15 nation encouragement of applications from qualified female nationals. For example, only about 22 per cent of all applications received for vacant posts filled in 1993 were from women, although they constituted 25 per cent of those selected. A still stronger push therefore needs to be made to encourage applications from qualified women. In spite of these constraints, some improvement has been made. The overall percentage of women Professionals serving at FAO headquarters has risen from 19.7 as reported in 1991 to 20.4 in 1994, in the regional offices and among FAO representatives from 9.3 to 10.3, and, in the field, from 4.1 to 8.0. 63. The number of women in more senior positions has increased during the last three bienniums. For example, at the P-4 level the number of women at headquarters has progressed since 1989 from 34 to 67, representing 19.4 per cent of the total staff in this grade, and at the P-5 level the figure has increased over the same time period from 14 to 22, representing 7.9 per cent of the total. There are at present seven women in the Director category, representing about 5 per cent of the total. While at these higher grade levels the percentage of women needs to be increased, at the lower Professional grades the number of women is more equitable. At the end of 1994, women constituted 46.2 per cent of the staff at P-3 and 46 per cent at the P-2 level. 64. The revised Plan of Action brings a renewed focus on the issue of affirmative action for women as both Professional officers and as consultants. The indicated activities include updating and expanding consultancy rosters, and examining personnel policies to ensure that no unintentional obstacles exist that would stand in the way of achieving goals that have been established in this important area. V. DRAFT DECISIONS 65. Based on the foregoing discussions, FAO recommends the following decisions for the Conference: (a) In view of the progress reported in the priority areas of the Plan of Action since its adoption by the Conference in 1989, it is recommended that the Conference endorse this fourth progress report on the implementation of the Plan of Action; (b) Considering the rather unique nature of the programmes of action of the various technical divisions of FAO, it is recommended that the fifth progress report on the implementation of the Plan of Action be presented at the thirtieth conference in 1999, and that reporting concentrate on the progress made during the next two bienniums in meeting the objectives of the various programmes; (c) Finally, it is recommended that the Conference adopt the revised FAO Plan of Action for Women in Development. While this Plan would be effective /...